collageBecoming a Medical Lab Technician with a Biology Degree can be achieved with proper education and career preparation. Medical Lab Technicians (otherwise known as Clinical Laboratory Scientists) are vital members of the medical team that provide support to doctors and other healthcare professionals. They help ensure that laboratory tests are processed correctly and results are accurate. A clinical lab technician works with blood, urine, stool samples, tissues and many other forms of biological material. Becoming a Medical Lab Technician is one of the best possible career options for biology majors. This is because being a Medical Lab Technician requires skills in both science and clinical lab work. Having these skills can benefit you in your daily job duties as well as your future career.
Do you want to learn about the latest findings medical laboratory science course? Get ready! Find out all the information you need right here on Collegelearners.com so you don’t have to go looking again. Find all the specifics you need, such as medical laboratory scientist program, medical laboratory scientist salary to medical laboratory scientist certification.
You’re looking to become a medical lab technician with a biology degree. That’s awesome!
Medical lab technicians work in hospitals, medical offices, and research facilities to help doctors diagnose patients by performing tests on blood, tissue samples and other bodily fluids. They also help doctors maintain a safe environment while they’re working with these materials.
A bachelor’s degree in biology can lead to many different career paths, including medical lab technician. In fact, many people who hold this degree go on to become nurses or dental hygienists. But if you want to be a medical lab technician instead of another kind of health professional, here are some things you should know about how it works:
What is the field of medical laboratory science?
Clinical Laboratory Science is a branch of medicine that provides laboratory information and services needed for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
It is also known as Medical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology – the word clinical laboratory science means something that involves analysing and analysing samples in a laboratory.
Hospitals and doctors’ offices depend on the important work of a medical laboratory technicians who are involved in this field. These professionals are a critical component of a well-functioning healthcare facility.
They work under the supervision of physicians, lab managers or lab technologists, helping doctors detect diseases or illnesses and determine treatment options through their understanding of biology, medicine and biochemistry.
How to Become a Medical Technologist with a Biology Degree
Medical technologists also called clinical laboratory scientists, or medical laboratory scientists are responsible for performing tests on blood and other body fluids to help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions.
They typically have a biology degree, or a degree in a closely related subject such as chemistry or microbiology, and many earn certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
This is the largest professional membership association for lab professionals and pathologists in America.
The equivalent of this in the UK would be the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Some individuals may choose to pursue an advanced degree in medical technology or another field.
Many medical technologists work in clinical laboratories at hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career as medical technologists should take biology, chemistry, math, and physics courses.
They should also consider completing an internship or volunteering at a local clinic, biomedical science lab, research facility, or hospital.
What you need to study and what you need to do to become a medical technologist
Medical technologists are responsible for analyzing blood, urine, and other body fluids to diagnose diseases.
They use sophisticated technology to test patient specimens for viruses, bacteria, and other organisms.
As such, they are required to study for degrees that provide a solid foundation in the healthcare sciences, as well as tissue sampling, biochemistry, and haematological tests and principles.
To become a medical technologist, you need to complete a certificate or associate’s degree program in medical laboratory science or molecular biology.
You also need to have strong math and science skills, as well as working knowledge of computers.
Although obtaining a medical technologist certification is not a requirement for employment, many hospitals and laboratories favour hiring those with credentials.
You must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or another life science to be qualified for this certification.
The exam may vary depending on the certification, but it is usually multiple-choice and can be taken at local colleges, test centres, universities, and schools.
Prior to being qualified to apply for certification, the majority of associations that are certified to certify medical technologists demand two years of experience, so bear this in mind.
Medical Lab Technician Education Requirements
You’ll need at least an associate’s degree in a program accredited by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). The ASCP offers certification for medical technologists, but not for medical laboratory technicians—so getting certified as one means going through an AMT-accredited program.
Medical Lab Technician Salary Range
The average annual salary range is $34k-$54k, according to PayScale data from August 2018.
medical laboratory scientist program medical laboratory scientist salary medical laboratory scientist certification medical laboratory science course
Tip
Working as a medical laboratory technician requires in-depth knowledge of chemistry, anatomy, microbiology and other related fields. A degree in biology doesn’t qualify you for this job, but you may complete a graduate or certificate program in clinical laboratory science to become an MLT.
Earn an Associate Degree
Some employers hire biology lab technicians with an associate degree in biology if they have lab experience in environmental toxicology, biology, animal science or a related field. Associate degree programs are typically designed for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. Within the program, students examine concepts in general biology and organic chemistry.
Prospective biology lab technicians should develop good communication and interpersonal skills. Since employers typically require biology lab technicians to work on multiple projects within a team environment, the ability to communicate effectively will ensure clear exchanges with coworkers on sensitive projects. Coursework in interpersonal communication and writing can help build a technician’s competence in these areas.
Aspiring technicians should also gain laboratory experience. Hands-on lab experience is crucial to gaining a position in this field, since many employers require this of applicants. While this may be hard to gain in an associate degree program, students can use electives to complete courses that provide lab experiences.
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program
A bachelor’s degree in biology, biological sciences, molecular biology or a related field is typically required for a career as a biology lab technician. These majors allow students to build competence in lab techniques and science subjects, such as biochemistry, cell biology, biological applications and biosciences. Within a biology program, students may be able to concentrate in a specific area of study, such as neurobiology or microbiology.
Additionally, the BLS emphasizes the importance of gaining laboratory work experience through summer internship programs. Students should take advantage of lab-based internship opportunities offered through the biology department or within their bachelor’s degree program.
Students also might want to consider exploring several areas of biology. Some employers call for applicants to have experience in several fields, such as environmental biology or toxicology. Students who complete classes with lab experiences in several fields can build diverse lab skills, potentially opening up more job opportunities.
Consider Graduate Study
If you’re interested in a career as a biologist, you might be wondering how to get started. You could enroll in a bachelor’s degree program or take some college-level courses to prepare yourself for a career as an entry-level technician in the field. However, if you have an interest in pursuing advanced education and career opportunities that allow you to use your knowledge and skills to work with scientists on research projects, then consider pursuing a master’s degree and/or doctoral program.
A master’s degree will prepare you for jobs as a laboratory assistant or technician. These positions require extensive knowledge of laboratory equipment and procedures, along with strong communication skills to work with other scientists on projects. A doctoral program can lead to careers as researchers and professors at colleges and universities.
In summary, a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and extensive lab experience typically are needed to work as a biology lab technician. Knowledge of several areas of biology also might boost one’s job opportunities.
If you are looking for a career that is fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding, look no further than becoming a medical lab technician.
Medical lab technicians perform chemical and biological tests on blood, tissues, and other body fluids in order to diagnose disease and monitor treatment of disease. They also help doctors by collecting information about the course of disease in patients. This can include performing studies on the progression of disease, as well as how it affects organs such as the brain or lungs.
Because it requires advanced knowledge of the human body and how it functions, medical lab technicians must have at least an associate degree from an accredited program. They must also be certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification or the National Credentialing Agency for Clinical Laboratory Personnel (NAACLS).
In addition to having a biology degree, you should consider taking courses in chemistry, anatomy/physiology, microbiology/immunology, pathology/clinical laboratory science, physics/biological sciences or other related subjects before entering into a medical lab technician program at a community college or university near you!
How to find work as a medical technologist?
Finding work as a medical technologist requires the above criteria to first be met.
After meeting your core requirements including enrolling on an accredited program, and gaining a registry with the ASCP, you are able to start applying to roles having got sufficient work experience.
Medical technologists are in high demand, and the job outlook for this career is excellent. The number of jobs for medical technologists is expected to grow by at least 5 per cent.
This growth is due, in part, to the ageing population and their need for more medical care.
If you are interested in becoming a medical technologist, your best bet is to start out as an entry-level employee.
Most medical technologists have at least a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field.
The last decade has seen a rise in the number of people pursuing careers as medical technologists. As a result, competition for jobs can be fierce and the best way to stand out is to improve your skill sets and work experience.
Work experience can be gained through volunteering in a clinical facility, engaging in clinical training, or carrying out entry-level work even in an unrelated industry.
collage