A medical technologist (MT) is a healthcare professional who performs diagnostic analytic tests on human body fluids such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and synovial fluid, as well as other specimens. A health care provider or health professional is an organization or person who delivers proper Health care in a systematic way professionally to any individual in Diagnosis is the identification by Process of elimination, of the nature of anything Bodily fluids listed below are found in the bodies of men and/or women Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the Kidneys by a process of filtration from Blood and Excreted through the Urethra. Sputum is matter that is Expectorated from the respiratory tract such as Mucus or Phlegm, mixed with Saliva, which can then be spat Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the Anus Cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF) Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear Bodily fluid that occupies the Subarachnoid space and the Ventricular system Pericardial fluid is secreted by the Serous membrane on the pericardious sac on the outside of the heart Synovial fluid is a thick stringy fluid found in the cavities of Synovial joints With its egg-like consistency ("synovial" partially derives from ovum, Medical technologists work in clinical laboratories at hospitals, doctor's offices, reference labs, and within the biotechnology industry. A hospital is an institution for Health care providing treatment by specialised staff and equipment and often but not always providing for
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Educational requirements
In most four-year degree programs, the student attends classroom courses for 3 years and clinical rotations for 1 year. This combination is called a 3+1 program; there are also 2+2 and 4+1 programs. In clinical rotations, the student experiences hands-on learning in each discipline of the laboratory. Under supervision, the student performs diagnostic testing in a functioning laboratory. Although not compensated, the student usually works 40 hours a week for 20 to 26 weeks, experiencing work as a full-time employee. A medical technologist typically earns a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology (Clinical Laboratory Science) or in a life science, in which case certification from an accredited training program is also required. A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and Medical technology refers to the diagnostic or therapeutic application of Science and Technology to improve the management of Health conditions
In Canada, 3 year diploma college programs are offered with 7 semesters, two being an unpaid internship. The student graduates before taking their standards examination (example: CSMLS) to be qualified as a Medical Laboratory Technician or MLT. Many MLT's go on to receive their Bachelor of Science after their diploma. There are a select number of university programs that affiliate with a college MLT program allowing the student to graduate with both their degree and diploma.
Certification and licensing
Medical technologists who are certified by and remain in good standing with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)[1] are entitled to use the credential "MT" after their names, as well as "MT" for those certified by the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)[2]. If credentialed by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel [3], the credential "CLS" (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) may be used. Another certifying agency for medical technologists is the American Medical Technologists located in Rosemont,Illinois. AMT has states societies which publish newsletters, and hold continuing education credit seminars during the year with a national meeting in the summer.
In the United States, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA '88)[4] define the level of qualification required to perform tests of various complexity. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments ( CLIA) of 1988 are United States federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory A medical technologist holds the highest such qualification, and is in general qualified to perform the most complex clinical testing including HLA testing (tissue-typing) and blood type reference testing. The human leukocyte antigen system ( HLA) is the name of the Major histocompatibility complex (MHC in humans A blood type (also called a blood group) is a classification of Blood based on the presence or absence of inherited Antigenic substances on the
For most of the states, obtaining a license involves filling out paperwork, paying a fee, and showing proof of certification by a national accrediting agency. However in addition to the national certification, approximately 15 states also require a state license (e. g. California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, and New York. ) California, Florida, and New York develop and administer their own examinations.
National certifications and most state licensures require annual continuing education credits for certification and license renewal.
Specialty areas
Most medical technologists are generalists, skilled in all areas of the lab. However some MTs are specialists, qualified from unique undergraduate education or additional training. Specialties include clinical biochemistry, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, immunology, immunohematology (blood bank), histopathology, genetics, and cytogenetics. Clinical chemistry (also known as clinical biochemistry, chemical pathology or pure blood chemistry) is the area of Pathology that is generally Hematology ( American English) or haematology ( British English) is the branch of biology (physiology Pathology, Clinical laboratory Coagulation is a complex process by which Blood forms Clots It is an important part of Hemostasis (the cessation of blood loss from a damaged vessel whereby Microbiology (from Greek grc μῑκρος mīkros, "small" grc βίος bios, " Life " and grc -λογία Microbiology (from Greek grc μῑκρος mīkros, "small" grc βίος bios, " Life " and grc -λογία Virology is the study of viruses and virus-like agents: their structure classification and evolution their ways to infect and exploit cells for virus reproduction Parasitology is the study of Parasites their hosts and the relationship between them Mycology (from the Greek μύκης meaning "fungus" is the branch of Biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical Science that covers the study of all aspects of the Immune system in all Organisms It deals with Immunohematology is a branch of Hematology which studies Antigen - Antibody reactions and analogous phenomena as they relate to the pathogenesis and clinical A blood bank is a cache or bank of Blood or blood components, gathered as a result of Blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in Blood transfusions Histopathology (from the Greek histos (tissue and pathos (suffering refers to the microscopic examination of tissue in order to study the manifestations Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is Cytogenetics is a branch of Genetics that is concerned with the study of chromosomes and cell division Medical technologists with a specialty may use additional credentials, such as "SBB" (Specialist in Blood Banking) from the American Association of Blood Banks, or "SH" (Specialist in Hematology) from the ASCP. These additional accolades may be appended to the base credential, for example, "MT(ASCP)SBB".
Job duties
A medical technologist analyzes human fluid samples using techniques available to the clinical laboratory, such as manual white blood cell differentials, bone marrow counts, analysis via microscopy and advanced analytical equipment. Medical technologists assist doctors and nurses in choosing the correct lab tests and collection methods; labeling and handling specimens; and interpreting the resulting analysis. A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health A nurse is responsible—along with other Health care Professionals —for the treatment safety and recovery of acutely or chronically
The technologist must recognize abnormalities and know how to correct them. They monitor, screen, and troubleshoot analytical devices including calibration, quality control, "on the fly" or run-by-run assessment, statistical control of observed data, and recording normal operations. To maintain the integrity of the laboratory process, the medical technologist recognizes factors that could introduce error and rejects contaminated or sub-standard specimens.
Common tests performed by medical technologists are complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), electrolyte panel, liver function tests (LFT), urinalysis, prothrombin time (PT/INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT or APTT), blood type, semen analysis (for fertility and post vasectomy studies), and routine cultures. A complete blood count ( CBC) also known as full blood count ( FBC) or full blood exam ( FBE) or blood panel, is The comprehensive metabolic panel ( CMP; CPT code 80053 is a standard suite of 14 Blood tests which serves as an initial broad screening Liver function tests (LFTs or LFs which include liver enzymes, are groups of Clinical biochemistry laboratory blood assays designed to give information about the A urinalysis (or "UA" is an array of tests performed on Urine and one of the most common methods of Medical Diagnosis. The prothrombin time ( PT) and its derived measures of prothrombin ratio ( PR) and international normalized ratio ( INR) are measures The partial thromboplastin time' (PTT or activated partial thromboplastin time ( aPTT or APTT) is a performance indicator measuring the efficacy of both the "intrinsic" A blood type (also called a blood group) is a classification of Blood based on the presence or absence of inherited Antigenic substances on the Microbiology (from Greek grc μῑκρος mīkros, "small" grc βίος bios, " Life " and grc -λογία
Role in the healthcare process
A medical technologist's role is to provide accurate laboratory results in a timely manner. The results are used to confirm a diagnosis or to monitor treatment. Safeguards ensure accuracy. Safeguards include experimental controls, calibration of laboratory instruments, delta checks (changes within a normal series of results), and periodic surveys from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The College of American Pathologists (CAP is a medical society serving more than 16000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world Laboratory results are 80% of a doctor's diagnosis.
Nomenclature: Medical Technologist (MT) vs Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
The informal abbreviations of job titles may be a source of confusion. There are many "techs" in a hospital environment, including pharmacy techs, x-ray techs, and (formerly) respiratory techs, (now called Therapists). Pharmacy technician is a job title for a Pharmacy staff member "who works under the direct supervision of a licensed Pharmacist, and performs many A radiologic technologist, or radiographer, is a healthcare professional who creates medical images of the body to help health care providers diagnose and treat illness and injury Respiratory Therapy is categorized as an Allied health profession in the United States and Canada Medical technologists are called "lab techs" or "med techs. " This shorthand term is occasionally used by other healthcare employees, including medical technologists. Where doubt exists, addressing an MT or MLT as a technologist demonstrates respect.
Formally, there is a distinction between a technician and a technologist. A technician is generally someone in a technological field who has a relatively practical understanding of the general theoretical principles of that field e A technologist is a specialist that is trained to perform work in a field of Technology. Technicians generally have no more than a two-year associates degree, and may have less training. A medical laboratory technician (MLT) has an associates degree and can be certified or registered by one or more nationally-recognized professional organizations, however, they may not be certified to perform tests of high complexity. A medical technologist (MT) has a baccalaureate degree, and can be certified or registered by one or more nationally-recognized professional organizations.
Regardless of formal definitions, a medical technologist is usually called a med tech and a medical laboratory technician is called an MLT.
Shortage
Currently, the United States is experiencing a labor shortage for medical technologists as well as virtually all other healthcare positions. Student enrollment in MT programs is steadily declining. Many universities cut budgets for Clinical Lab Science programs, or closed them altogether.
The primary reason for this decline is the vast disparity in salary, as compared to other healthcare workers. A typical medical technologist's salary is only 50 percent to 70 percent that of a registered nurse (RN), depending on geographical location. For instance, in Washington, D. C. , the median MT salary is $37,378 compared to $67,695 for a Registered Nurse, assuming equivalent levels of experience. The 2005 data for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual income for a medical technologist in California as $64,540. That is the highest average in the nation. The main reason for this is lack of public view for the profession, another being a clinical laboratory is a cost center for a hospital. Saving money for hospitals must begin where the patients can not directly see the effect.
This is a concern of most laboratory professionals in today's healthcare system.
See also
External links
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University
- [5]
- U.S. Department of Labor information on Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- American Society of Clinical Pathology
- American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science
- National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
References
- http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/dissent/documents/health/labscam.html
- http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/10_Categorization_of_Tests.asp#TopOfPage
- http://dhi.health.state.nm.us/CLIA/index.php
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