If you are looking for a career in a medical lab, a very important option is that of a Medical Laboratory Assistant. This field is growing and the need for more technicians grows with each passing year. When working in a hospital or clinic, you duties will be varied and include matching blood for transfusions and in some cases you may be testing for drug levels in the blood. This is often done to show how a patient is responding to a particular treatment. If you choose to work in a Medical Lab, your typical duties will also include the following: analyzing the chemical content of fluids, preparing blood, urine and tissue samples for analysis and monitoring tests and procedures. You will often be required to use sophisticated equipment to look for parasites, bacteria and other microorganisms. Medical laboratory Assistants may also be asked to work with the clinical staff advising them on sample acceptance and correct sampling methods. It is important that the Medical Laboratory Assistant have excellent knowledge of the sampling acceptance policies of the lab, as well as maintaining patient confidentiality, the data protections act, COSHH and the Caldicott rules.
Medical Laboratory Assistant – Is a Degree Required?
A Medical Laboratory Assistant must obtain at least an associate degree in medical technology. The coursework will include some or all of the following: microbiology, chemistry, laboratory mathematics, microscopy and immunology. Certification is another way to enter into the field. This will be of great help when you are seeking your first job. Certification should always be earned from a fully accredited program and you may also choose to take a national certification exam. There are numerous fields to specialize in including blood banking, hematology, cytotechnology, immunology, and chemistry. Depending on where you live, you may need to be registered or licensed.
If you choose, you can continue studying and your career may advance to that of a medical laboratory technician. This will require a higher knowledge of performing complicated lab tests and analysis. A career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant is very rewarding and the potential for growth is this field is continuous, with just small bit of formal training you can enter a field of limitless possibilities.