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With the help of laboratory tests, many health-related problems can be promptly detected, diagnosed and efficiently treated.
A medical lab technician works in a medical laboratory in performing microscopic, immunologic, hematological, chemical and bacteriological diagnostic analysis on body fluids. These body fluids usually include sputum, urine, stool, blood, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid. A laboratory technician can be employed in numerous offices such as biomedical facilities, doctors offices, hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, schools and universities, and clinical and reference labs.
Medical lab technicians usually work under close supervision of medical personnel such as pathologists and medical lab scientists or medical technologist. They operate and handle intricate laboratory supplies and equipment such as chemicals and microscopes. A lab technician can also choose work in one of the many different lab divisions which include microbiology, blood banking, immunology, hematology, cytotechnology or chemistry. Besides performing routine lab duties, they may also be required to do other related work such as blood typing, maintenance of lab records, maintenance of laboratory equipment, and submission of laboratory results to concerned medical staff.
Medical lab technicians work alongside medical technologists in order to assist in the detection of irregularities in recently collected samples from patients.
During the course of analysis, the medical team may find bacterial infection, viral infection, parasite infection, malignancies, and genetic problems in these samples. Individuals who are looking to pursue a career as a medical lab technician will have to be proficient in subjects which, among others, include geometry, physics, biology, algebra, chemistry. And since this medical field also involves some physical work, one must also possess a decent level of physical fitness.
Excellent communication skills will also be of great importance in this field. Based on a statement from the American Society of Clinical Pathology or ASCP, To prepare for a career as a medical laboratory technician, it helps to start by getting a solid foundation in high school sciences — biology, chemistry, math and computer science. This also means that an individual must have acquired a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to enrollment in a medical laboratory technician program. Successful completion of an Associates Degree program is another primary requirement for this medical field.
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From: (lab technician salary) http://www.laboratorytechschools.com