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Before a disease can be treated, it must first be discovered. That’s where a clinical laboratory technologist comes in. It is the task of these experts to use various tests to search for anomalies in patients. Their duties include testing blood, urine and other samples and preparing vaccines. They study results in order to determine whether there is a problem and formulate a likely diagnosis.
Some technologists specialize in a particular area, such as histology, which has to do with the preparation and examination of body tissue, and cytology, which involves the analysis of body cells. Others, especially those who work in small hospitals, work in a wide range of areas. In addition to hospitals, technologists can be found in drug manufacturing companies, the armed services and universities and colleges.
Laboratory technologists require a bachelor’s degree in a life science or medical technology. Following graduation, they will need to get certified, and in some cases, a license should also be acquired. Generally, this will involve taking a test; other requirements vary from state to state. While a master’s degree is not usually required for most positions, technologists who want to work in a teaching or research capacity will generally need to get an advanced degree.
On average, technologists receive about $45,000 a year, and typical benefits include insurance and paid vacations. The working environment for a technologist is usually ideal, and those who adhere to proper protocol should have little chance of being threatened by hazardous materials. Some lab techs work part-time, but most work full 40-hour weeks, and those who work in hospitals may be on-call at certain times.
The job of a lab technologist is an important one. While patients may not see these people who are so instrumental in determining what course should be taken with treatment, many of them owe their lives to the diligence of those who are so skilled at interpreting lab results. This exciting field is recommended for scientifically minded people who want to work in the medical profession but aren’t necessarily interested in hands-on interaction with patients. From a distance, lab technologists make a big difference, earning a good living as well.
