Medical Lab Technician

Clinical laboratory testing is crucial to detecting and diagnosing diseases. Laboratory technicians perform most of these tests. These technicians examine and analyze body fluids, tissues and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites and other microorganisms. They 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. People in this field use automated equipment and sophisticated, expensive instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. They also use other lab equipment, including microscopes and cell counters. Lab technicians also maintain glassware, instruments, logs and record books. They also troubleshoot and help with special projects.

The medical laboratory technician performs general tests in all laboratory areas — Blood banking, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology and Microbiology. Working with the supervision of a medical technologist, a medical laboratory technician hunts for clues to the absence, presence, extent, and causes of diseases.

Medical laboratory technicians must be accurate, dedicated and skilled. They must also be self-motivated, and take the initiative to do what must be done everyday — to pitch in to help the healthcare team.

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