INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MEDICAL

LABORATORY SCIENTISTS
By David Stewart; Updated July 05, 2017

Medical laboratory scientists are professionals who carry out various tests
in medical laboratories. The aim of their work is to help the doctor to arrive
at a diagnosis of the patient’s condition by evaluating samples and carrying
out appropriate tests. The job demands high level of dedication, as night
shifts and weekend work are quite common. A medical laboratory scientist
should have good people skills to deal effectively with patients. Besides
work in diagnosis, medical laboratory professionals can work in areas
related to latest medical research and development.

Nature of Work
Diagnostic laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis
and treatment of disease. Medical laboratory scientists take samples of the
patient’s body fluids or tissues and analyze them for any irregularities.
Microscopes, chemical analyzers and other high tech instruments such as
cell counters are used for testing. The responsibility of the medical
laboratory scientist also extends to analysis and interpretation of the test
results. This requires in-depth knowledge of chemical and biological
sciences. These results are then passed on to the doctor, who makes
treatment decisions based on them.

Areas of Specialization
Medical laboratory scientists perform a wide range of complex tests to
assist doctors. Immunohematology scientists work with blood and blood
components and prepare them for transfusion. They evaluate blood
samples and identify matches for transfusions. Chemical laboratory
scientists analyze the chemical and hormonal content of body fluids. They
test for drug levels in the blood to follow the patient’s response to treatment
and conduct tests to determine concentrations of chemical compounds like
glucose or cholesterol in the body. Some laboratory scientists specialize in
cell evaluation. They evaluate slides of body cells under the microscope for
abnormalities in the cell structure and cell counts. These abnormalities may
be the precursor to cancerous growth.
Educational and Licensure Requirements
The minimum education requirement for a medical laboratory scientist is a bachelor’s
degree in medical technology. The curriculum offers specialized courses pertinent to
clinical laboratory functions, besides subjects like chemistry, biology and
microbiology. The coursework also exposes would-be medical laboratory scientists
to concepts of management and computer applications. Programs are accredited by
the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Some
states require laboratory personnel to be licensed. The licensure requirements vary
from state to state, but usually involve the passing of an exam. Prospective
employers may prefer candidates who are certified by recognized professional
associations like the Board of Registry for American Society of Clinical Pathology
and the American Medical Technologists. The certification requirements vary from
agency to agency.

Employment
Medical laboratory scientists may work in hospitals or private sector laboratories.
Pharmaceutical firms may hire experienced personnel for new product development.
Employment opportunities are also available in research institutes. Some may work
in police forensic laboratories. As in all professions, career in teaching is also an
option for medical laboratory scientists.

2016 Salary Information for Phlebotomists

Phlebotomists earned a median annual salary of $32,710 in 2016, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, phlebotomists earned a 25th
percentile salary of $27,350, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The
75th percentile salary is $38,800, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 122,700
people were employed in the U.S. as phlebotomists.

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