Become a Medical Lab Technician

If you want a job that is stable and can overcome recession, choose a career in the medical field. One of the jobs in the medical fields that doesn't require a four year degree is a Medical Lab Technician. A Medical Lab Technicians' job is crucial in the health-care industry, for they are the ones who help diagnose health problems by testing body fluids such as blood, urine and spinal fluid. With the results that come from the lab, the doctors can then make a better diagnosis and prognosis of certain health conditions to help the patients.

Step 1:

Find out if you can deal with the job. A Medical Lab Technician's work is not a glamorous one. You would be handling different types of people's body fluids, secretions and even stools, in order to run some laboratory tests. In other words, you must have the stomach for it. If you are someone who faints with the sight of blood or syringe needles, then this is not a job for you. But, if you are able to handle dealing with these and much more, then you can proceed with learning the trade.

Step 2:

Find an an accredited school with good reputation. A Medical lab Technician's work cannot be learned solely through online schools; you would need to be in a real school doing lab work, so be prepared to be on a fixed schedule based on what your school will provide. You do not need to have a medical degree to become a Medical Lab Technician. A Medical Laboratory Technician is an Associate Degree with focus in the Medical Laboratory Science. Some universities, community colleges and vocational schools offer this course. One can become a Medical Lab Technician in just two years, sometimes less.

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Step 3:
Learn and pass all the subjects. Since this is a medical job, you may need to do a lot of memorizing, such as the terminologies used in the medical world, memorizing the parts of the anatomy, including but not limited to different blood vessels and where to draw blood. You would also require to learn and master steps in performing the lab work, such as counting white and red blood cells, testing urine samples as well as feces. It is important that you know some chemistry and some science for you would be required to mix some chemicals that you would need to use to run your lab tests.




Step 4:

Pass the practical tests administered by your school. The practical tests would involve some of the following: collecting body fluids such as, performing phlebotomy when collecting blood. Testing the body fluids, knowing the end results compared to the normal results. Be able to collect and prepare the samples correctly for a Medical Technologist and Pathologist to do more tests. Understand and be able to somehow interpret the results if they are abnormal or normal, be able to use the lab tools correctly in order to do the work correctly. Know that mistakes can adversely impact a doctor's diagnosis, so it is crucial to have an accurate result as much as possible.

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Step 5:

Complete and pass an internship after finishing your school requirements. The internship will also provide you with practical experience that you can use as reference when job hunting. You can apply at hospitals, doctor's office or clinics for a Medical Lab Technician's job. Be prepared to work long hours and different shifts.

Step 6:

Get and pass a Medical Lab Technician's licensing exam administered by your state.