Hi Shreya,
Being a doctor is not the only option to make a career in medicine, as popularly believed. There are various other options and career opportunities provided by this sector. One such path is in the area of Medical Laboratory Technology.
To help diagnose an illness, doctors need investigations through tests. Basis the results of these tests, they treat and give suggestions for prevention. This is where Medical Laboratory Technology or Clinical laboratory science comes in.
Working in a medical laboratory demands high level of responsibility, skill and given the rate at which diseases are increasing, a lot of hard work. Therefore,
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Hi Shreya,
Being a doctor is not the only option to make a career in medicine, as popularly believed. There are various other options and career opportunities provided by this sector. One such path is in the area of Medical Laboratory Technology.
To help diagnose an illness, doctors need investigations through tests. Basis the results of these tests, they treat and give suggestions for prevention. This is where Medical Laboratory Technology or Clinical laboratory science comes in.
Working in a medical laboratory demands high level of responsibility, skill and given the rate at which diseases are increasing, a lot of hard work. Therefore, it is a very challenging and dynamic career field where you can make a difference in people's lives.
There are two profiles you could look at:
Technicians
Technologists
Medical technologists work in areas of the laboratory like Clinical Chemistry (chemical analysis of body fluids), Blood banking, Immunology (study of immune system), Hematology (blood related), and Microbiology (study of bacteria and other disease organisms). Other areas include cytotechnology (study of human tissue), phlebotomy, urinalysis, coagulation, parasitology and serology. Phlebotomists draw and test blood where as Blood bank technologists determine correct blood types for transfusions. Histology technicians cut and stain tissue samples.
On the other hand, medical lab technicians work under technologists or supervisors and do routine laboratory testing manually. Technicians prepare specimens and operate machines that automatically analyze samples. They also prepare standard solutions which involve measuring and mixing the correct amount of various chemicals for use in the lab.
Career prospects:
Career as a Medical laboratory technician/technologist offer you the opportunity to have a significant impact on patient care, without actually interacting with patients.
With required skill you can find yourself employed in a hospital, minor emergency centers, private laboratory, blood donor centers, doctor's office or clinics. You can aim to become a technologist in due time and work experience.
Medical lab technicians can also find jobs in research facilities, crime laboratories, universities, pharmaceutical companies and military.
With their specialized skills, lab technologists are always in demand in hospitals, specialty hospitals, laboratories etc.
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Hi Shreya,