Running head: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 1

Medical Technologist

Karyssaann Costagliola

Alvernia University

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 2

Abstract

Medical Technology is a field not to many know about. It is a slow growing field due to the lack

of interested people, but it is a very rewarding field in the same regard. A Medical Technologist

has a lot of opportunity in the laboratory or research settings.

Keywords: Medical Technology, Medical Technologist, Laboratory

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 3

Medical Technologist

Medical Technologists also known as Medical Laboratory Scientist is a career that is very

important to the treatment and diagnosis of patients. In today’s laboratory it consists of many

“baby boomers” that are on the brink of retirement or they are choosing to prolong their

retirement not allowing newer technologists to begin working. Medical Technologists began

back in 1500 B.C. when the first identification of a parasite was done. In 1922 group was

formed by ASCP or American Society of Clinical Pathology to help give structure and a set

standard for laboratory professionals. In the 1930’s the ASCLS, a group of laboratory scientists,

to follow the guidelines set forth through ASCP to form professionals in the healthcare field with

the top certification attainable.

The reason I chose this career is because currently I have worked in the lab for three years. I

started my career out in the laboratory as a phlebotomist and continued to expand my knowledge

and education to become a MLT or Medical Laboratory Technician. The degree I am now

working on will give me my Bachelors in Healthcare Science opening more doors for me as far

as management opportunities and more advancement within the lab by being recognized as a

Medical Technologist. I like what I do and it is a very fulfilling job knowing that I am helping

treat patients and am able to always continue to learn each day I test patient samples. Most

people never realize the work or what goes on after that tube of blood is drawn and the amount

of work and precision that is needed to come up with the right answer so the doctor is able to

treat the patient.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 4

This career has a big significance to the healthcare field and the proper treatment of patients. It

is proven that, “Seventy percent of patient care is based on decisions made from laboratory

results, yet there is a growing shortage of medical technologists” (Small 2013). This percentage

shows the importance that Medical Technologists as well as the rest of the lab staff has in health

care. If there was no blood tests or other studies it would be hard to really pinpoint diseases

especially diseases like cancer. It takes a well trained eye and education professional to be able

to sit down and look at a blood smear for instance and realize that a patient is showing signs of

beginning stage cancer. As a Medical Technologist they can be the first step in the proper

diagnosis or the person that catches a disease before it is too late to fix. The impact that Medical

Technologists have makes it very important to continue to see it grow and bring new people into

the field is crucial.

A Medical Technologist career like most jobs has its positives and negatives. When it comes to

stress levels it was rated above average according to the U.S. World Report 2014. The stress is

due to the responsibility in getting accurate results and interpreting findings correctly to the

physicians. Another contributor to the stress levels is due to the occasional shortage because of

lack of new technologists and the current technologists being older in age. The flexibility in this

job is about average with other related jobs when it comes to scheduling or others needs in this

field.

When it comes to medical ethics in this field it is a universal code that stands for all of healthcare

professionals. They are to uphold to professional standards and not do anything that will

jeopardize patient results or cause any unnecessary harm to themselves because lack of proper

use of equipment. They are to follow HIPPA guidelines and protect and show respect for patient

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 5

privacy and any test results. Medical Technologists are typically covered by the hospital when it

comes to any legal obligations or in case of an error made in the lab.

When dealing with risk management in this career proper precaution need to be taken to ensure

proper safety is being used. In this career the technologist is exposed to many harmful chemicals

and can be exposed to infectious disease. It is vital to be using proper PPE or Personal

Protective Equipment when dealing with a patient sample or harmful chemical. This job puts a

lot of people at risk if they do not exercise caution and follow all guidelines in place not only by

the organization but by OSHA standards.

It is hard to give definite figures because of the lack of interest and available accredited schools

for this field but it is projected that, “The job outlook for Medical Technologists will rise 22%

from 2012-2022” (U.S. Labor Statistics 2014). That the current trend in most labs are mostly

“baby boomers” the need for people in this career will continue to be in high demand leading to a

possible shortage because of the lack of interest or unawareness of most people for this career

opportunity. The chances for employment will always be there for this career and the room for

advancement is there for the people that are willing to work for it. There will always be a need

for blood work and someone to maintain the machines and make sure the tests are running

properly giving anyone interested the opportunity.

The career of Medical Technologists’ will continue to grow and the need will always be there as

long as the way to diagnosis is through blood. This career is a very rewarding career knowing

the people you help diagnosis and the knowledge you gain every day. In this field no case is the

same and you are always taking away a piece of new knowledge from each specimen you

examine. When choosing this career you will always be on your toes and need to stay up on the

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 6

current trends in healthcare and treatments that could affect certain blood tests and be able to

interpret what you are seeing so you can help the doctor diagnosis the patient.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 7

References

Bennett, MPH, MT (ASCP), A., Thompson, N., Holladay, PhD, SCT ( ASCP), B., Bugbee,

PhD, A., & Steward, PhD, C. (2009, March 31). ASCP Wage and Vacancy Survey

of U.S. Medical Laboratories. LabMedicine, 133-141.

"Best Career" for2011. Dark Daily, 1-18.

Brown, B. (2014, October 27). Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Technician.

http://expolorehealthcareers.org

Blue Mountain Health System Home. (2014, October 15). www.blmtn.org

Michel, D. (2011, January 5). Medical Laboratory Technologists a U.S. News & World Report

Small, K. (2013). Retention Strategies for Medical Technologists: Addressing the Shortages and

Vacancies in the Clinical Laboratory. Electronic Theses and Dissertations.

http://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3654&context=etd

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014, January 8).

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical- laboratory-technologists- and-

technicians.htm