The Clinical Laboratory Technologist is the one who finds and diagnoses diseases. It takes their expertise with the equipment and medical knowledge to discover what disease the patient may have contacted.
Primary Objectives:
- The Clinical Laboratory Technologist runs a number of tests on tissues, cells and fluids.
- The Clinical Laboratory Technologist matches blood types.
- The Clinical Laboratory Technologist analyzes drug concentration in patient blood.
- The Clinical Laboratory Technologist finds bacteria, parasites, and viruses while they break down the fluid and chemical composition.
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists hold a four-year degree in the life sciences or medical technology.
The position of Clinical Laboratory Technologist is very important because they can prevent the spread of diseases and help a patient before they become to critically ill. The Clinical Laboratory Technologist performs microscopic, hematological, immunologic, biological, chemical and bacteriological tests. They are looking for microorganisms like bacteria and parasites in body tissue and fluid. The Clinical Laboratory Technologist is very instrumental in matching blood types for blood transfusions. The Clinical Laboratory Technologist uses a variety of instruments and tools to perform these tests, including microscopes, automated equipment, cell counters, and other equipment capable of doing many tests at a time. Technicians summarize data and send the information to doctors for their review. Analytical skills are increasing in importance as technology and automation decrease the need of hands-on-skills by technicians.
In order to determine the amount of analytical and decision-making work a Clinical Laboratory Technologists can make depends on the amount of education and experience that they may have. Relevant work experience may be substituted for part of their education. The Clinical Laboratory Technologists may work as supervisors in larger hospitals in order to keep things coordinated and the team of other Clinical Laboratory Technologists organized. Larger hospitals employ many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and they are able to diversify sticking to one specific type of Technology work. Some technologists analyze the work while others perform quality assurance and develop tests. In the larger laboratories you may find Clinical Chemistry Technologists who make samples and determine the contents of body fluids. The Microbiology Technologists are specialists in identifying microorganisms. Immunohematology Technologists or simply put blood bank Technologists are involved with blood used in transfusions at all its stages, including collection, determination of blood type and preparation. Immunology Technologists specialize in the human immune system. Cytotechnologists examine cells microscopically for early signs of cancer. The Molecular Biology Technologists test cell samples using nucleic acid and complex protein testing techniques. All these different branches of Technologists start out in the field recognized as Clinical Laboratory Technologists and after years of experience become diversified in the field of study. The Clinical Technologists is different than a Clinical Laboratory Technician because they can do many more tests and make analyzes of patients condition.
While the Clinical Laboratory Technician may use the machines and conduct some of the tests they are supervised by a Clinical Laboratory Technologists. The Technologist work involves relative few dangers when proper safety and protocol is observed. They must wear protective gear like gloves and masks. The Technologist is expected to use safety procedures at all times while working in the Laboratory.
The Clinical Laboratory Technologist is required in most states to be licensed and certified by the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts, the National Credentialing Agency of Laboratory Personnel, the American Medical Technologists and the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. All these licensing and certification come about as the Clinical Laboratory Technologist graduates Medical College and has four years of internship working in a Laboratory. The work that they perform is essential in the diagnosis of many different diseases and disorders. It is not uncommon for even the smaller hospitals to have several specialized Clinical Laboratory Technologists along with the regular Clinical Laboratory Technologists who supervises the department. The type of work that they perform requires them to pay close attention to detail and of course they must be able to work under pressure. A Clinical Laboratory Technologist needs to be able to use the computer given the advances in medical technology. The Clinical Laboratory Technologists must have good problem solving skills, normal color vision and manual dexterity which are highly valued skills in clinical labs.