I. JOB DESCRIPTION
A Lab Technician is a healthcare professional that works behind the scenes to analyze body fluids and cell types. A Lab Technician also analyzes blood types to ensure suitability for transfusion. The Lab Technician works in a laboratory and is therefore not on the front lines of working with patients. Instead, the lab technician uses tools in the laboratory such as microscopes and cell counters ("Clinical laboratory technician," 2014).
Lab Technicians need to have sound analytical skills and the ability to make good decisions based on the data that they gather. Based on the analysis that they do, they provide information to Physicians, who then take the data and are able to make a proper diagnosis for their patients. A group of Lab Technicians are typically managed by a Lab Technologist. More complex laboratory procedures are managed by a Lab Technologist. More education is needed for the Lab Technologist than that required of the Lab Technician.
Like all healthcare practitioners, Lab Technicians are required to keep all patient information confidential at all times. They are also obligated to maintaining the independence, dignity and privacy of all patients according to current legislation ("Code of ethics," 2014).
II. EDUCATION /REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION
In order to become a Lab Technician, the individual must have at least an Associate Degree from a college or institution specializing in the study of this field. A Lab Technologist, on the other hand, is required to have a four year Bachelor’s Degree in order to be certified for this position. The requirements for the profession/occupation are a two year degree that is offered by a variety of colleges both large and small. Many Universities in the United States that have particular specialization in healthcare programs offer a two year program as part of their fields of study. World-renowned for its excellence in healthcare studies, The University of California at Davis offers a Laboratory Technician program. In addition to the number of Universities that are offering a Laboratory Technician degree, recently, and because of the advent of modern technology, a degree in Laboratory Technician studies can be acquired online. Wright State University and The University of Cincinnati are two examples of colleges that offer this degree online ("Accredited colleges offering," 2014).
The approximate cost to obtain a Laboratory Technician degree is twenty seven hundred dollars. At Alexandria Technical and Community College, this two year degree is offered as a combination of on campus and online classes. The bulk of the expenses for the program are the books during the first year ("Medical laboratory technician," 2014).
At the Alexandria Technical and Community College, the degree that is awarded after successful completion of the two year program is an AAS, Associate in Applied Science degree ("Medical laboratory technician," 2014). The second year of study entails being assigned to a local hospital to work under the direct supervision of the head of the laboratory. With this experience, the student is then eligible and able to apply for certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. This examination is offered by the Board of Certification.
III. EMPLOYMENT
There are many different jobs available for this profession. There is a trend in the United States regarding healthcare due to the aging population ("Can the us," 2014) and the fact that humans are now living longer lives. Due to this trend, there is growth in the healthcare segment. Laboratory Technicians play a key role in helping Physicians to make a diagnosis for their patients. Due to the increase in the number of patients, and therefore the increase in demand for laboratory services, there is a corresponding growth in demand for Laboratory Technicians.
Job availability for Laboratory Technicians is in a variety of environments. Predominantly, Laboratory Technicians work in Medical or Scientific Laboratories. Either way, because of the current and future changes in the demographics and the increase in the number of senior citizens, there will continue to be a demand for Laboratory Technicians in either a Medical or Scientific setting.
The job descriptions that I surveyed did not specifically address advancement opportunities. The job descriptions detailed job duties and required qualifications. Based on the need for Lab Technologists, it is clear that there could be a path for advancement in either a Medical or Scientific setting. A logical progression from Lab Technician, as advertised, would be to become a Lab Technologist based on additional education and on the job experience. Also, it would seem that part-time Lab Technician positions may transition to full-time jobs based on putting in the time and gaining experience in that setting. Also, night-shift opportunities may transition to a regular, nine to five position, again with the required time on the job and the experience acquired in outing in those hours.
IV. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES According to The Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, ("Clinical laboratory technologist," 2014) there are several Professional organizations that are worthy of membership. The four listed by Sloan are:
- American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (www.ascls.org)
- American Society for Cytopathology (www.cytopathology.org)
- Clinical Laboratory Management Association (www.clma.org)
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (www.naacls.org)
Membership cost for a student enrolled in this field of study is twenty five dollars. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science offers four levels of memberships ranging from twenty five dollars, which is the student fee, up to ninety nine dollars for professionals ("Join/renew information," 2014).
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides a comprehensive database of Journals and articles as aids for Laboratory Technicians (2014). All of this information can be accessed by using this web link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
V. REFLECTION / PERSONAL CAREER PLAN
Having completed this research, I now know that there are many sources of information available for me to learn from so that I can continue to evolve my career aspirations as a Lab Technician. I see myself fitting into this role because I have always had a passion for helping people and being in the healthcare field has always been a goal for me. Now that I also know about the potential career advancements that are possible, I would like to look into and find out more about the possibility of becoming a Lab Technologist. I would like that to be a goal for me over the next ten years. Until then, I will join some professional associations, do a good job where I am employed and continue to gain experience to advance both my knowledge and my career in this field.
References
Clinical laboratory technician. (2014). Retrieved from http://money.usnews.com/careers/best- jobs/clinical-laboratory-technician
Accredited colleges offering laboratory technician degrees. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.collegesanddegrees.com/programs/laboratory-technician/colleges
Medical laboratory technician. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.alextech.edu/en/MedLab/Tuition.aspx
Can the us meet its aging population healthcare needs. (2014). Retrieved from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/can-the-u-s-meet-its-aging-populations- health-care-needs/
Lab technician jobs. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Laboratory Technician&l=33133
(2014). Retrieved from http://www.indeed.com/salary/Lab-Technician.html
Clinical laboratory technologist and technician overview the field - preparation - day in the life - earnings - employment - career path forecast - professional organizations. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.careercornerstone.org/pdf/medtech/clinlabtech.pdf
Join/renew information. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ascls.org/join-ascls/join
(2014). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
Medical technologist continuing education. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.medialabinc.net/newspost7- medical_technologist_continuing_education.aspx
