Medical Laboratory Technician

 

Career Profile
 The Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) performs a wide range of routine laboratory procedures under the limited supervision of a medical technologist. The MLT is expected to demonstrate a high level of skill in the areas of phlebotomy, urinalysis, blood-banking, coagulation, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, parasitology, and serology. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, minor emergency centers, doctor's offices, clinics, blood donor centers, and industry. The MLT may have direct patient contact; for example, when taking blood samples from patients.

 

A medical laboratory technologist's typical duties may include monitoring tests and procedures, and preparing blood, urine and tissue specimens for analysis. Using sophisticated laboratory equipment, lab technicians 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. Technologists may specialize in the areas of chemistry, hematology, cytotechnology, immunology, virology, blood banking and microbiology. Due to the critical nature of the work, lab technicians must be extremely accurate.

 

Medical lab technologists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, universities, private laboratories, and public health organizations.

In a large medical lab, the Medical Laboratory Technician may be assigned to a specific area. In smaller clinical facilities, he or she may be expected to function in many areas.

 

Important Work Activities

  • Collecting blood samples from patients.
  • Preparing and identifying specimens.
  • Culturing micro-organisms to determine their identity and susceptibility to antibiotics.
  • Conducting blood cell counts on patient samples.
  • Grouping, typing and crossmatching blood for transfusion to patients.
  • Storing, labeling, and preparing blood and blood components for transfusion.
  • Analyzing body fluids to determine chemical and biological components.
  • Preparing various solutions utilized in the laboratory, and preparing reagents necessary to produce chemical reactions.
  • Assuming administrative functions relative to reporting and recording results of tests conducted in the laboratory, maintaining accurate clinical records, and performing other duties as may be assigned by the laboratory supervisor.
  • Communication of results to nurses, doctors, or other health care professionals.
  • Knowledge and utilization of blood and body fluid safety precautions.
  • Performing quality control for all test procedures.
  • Maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment.

 

Job Outlook

  • Regional Employment 2000: 540
  • Projected Regional Employment 2010: 650
  • Absolute Change 2000 - 2010: 110
  • Percent Change 2000 - 2010: 20.40%
  • Average Hourly Wage 2000: $19.18
  • Average Openings per year due to Replacement: 15
  • Average Openings per year due to Growth: 11

 

Career Path

  • Complete prerequisite coursework
  • Complete Medical Laboratory Technologist training
  • Pass the Certification exam

 

Salary
 Medical Lab Technologist positions have an average starting salary of $14.00/hr.

 

Medical Laboratory Technician

 

Disqualifiers/Barriers

  • Must submit to a criminal background check.
  • Felony and misdemeanor offenses are carefully scrutinized.

Important Skills

  • Good eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity
  • Good visual acuity (normal or corrected vision)
  • Good communication skills
  • Emotional and physical health to tolerate physically taxing and stressful workloads

 

Medical Laboratory Technician

 

Educational Programs
 Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at Austin Community College

 

Certification
 Successful completion of the degree plan leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. Graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam, such as the ASCP or the NCA. The Program is nationally accredited through the Council on Allied Health Education Accreditation.

 

Length of Training/Requirements
 Once prerequisite coursework is completed, ACC's degree plan in Medical Laboratory Technology is a two-year course of study (including one summer). It prepares the student for a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician through classroom study and supervised clinical experience.

 

Location of Classes
Lectures and labs are held at an ACC campus. The required clinical training is scheduled in local healthcare providers.

 

Medical Laboratory Technician

 

St. David HealthCare Partnership
 900 East 30th Street,Suite 109
Austin, Texas
512-397-4000
www.sdhcp.com

 

Seton HealthCare Network
 W. 38th1/2 Street
Austin, Texas
www.seton.org

Note: The above information was taken from "Hot Jobs" 1997 and from documentation received from the Health Employers and Austin Community College.

 

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