Medical technologist 3770891 224088050 2008-07-07T06:51:14Z 203.91.149.164 /* Job duties */ A '''medical technologist''' (MT) is a [[healthcare professional]] who performs [[diagnostic]] analytic tests on human [[body fluids]] such as [[blood]], [[urine]], [[sputum]], [[feces|stool]], [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF), peritoneal fluid, [[pericardial fluid]], and [[synovial fluid]], as well as other specimens. Medical technologists work in clinical laboratories at [[hospitals]], doctor's offices, reference labs, and within the biotechnology industry. ==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. Limited universities now offer graduate level programs for career changes with undergraduate degrees in disciplines unrelated to science. 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)[http://www.ascp.org/certification/CertifyingExaminations/] are entitled to use the credential "MT" after their names, as well as "MT" for those certified by the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)[http://www.aab.org/mt.htm]. If credentialed by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel [http://www.nca-info.org/], 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)[http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/clia/] define the level of qualification required to perform tests of various complexity. A medical technologist holds the highest such qualification, and is in general qualified to perform the most complex clinical testing including [[Human leukocyte antigen|HLA]] testing (tissue-typing) and [[blood type|blood type reference]] testing. 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 chemistry|clinical biochemistry]], [[hematology]], [[coagulation]], [[microbiology]], [[bacteriology]], [[virology]], [[parasitology]], [[mycology]], [[immunology]], [[immunohematology]] ([[blood bank]]), [[histopathology]], [[genetics]], and [[cytogenetics]]. 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 [[Physician|doctors]] and [[nurse]]s in choosing the correct lab tests and collection methods; labeling and handling specimens; and interpreting the resulting analysis. 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),Renal function test (RFT),Thyroid funtion test(TFT), [[urinalysis]], Coagulation profile, lipid profile,[[blood type]], semen analysis (for fertility and post vasectomy studies),serological studies and routine [[Microbiology|cultures]]. ==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). 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 technician|pharmacy techs]], [[x-ray technician|x-ray techs]], and (formerly) [[respiratory tech]]s, (now called Therapists). Medical technologists are called "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]]. 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.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Many universities cut budgets for Clinical Lab Science programs, or closed them altogether.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} 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.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} This is a concern of most laboratory professionals in today's healthcare system. ==See also== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *[[Allied health professions]] *[[ARUP Laboratories]] *[[Automated analyser]] *[[Blood bank]] *[[Blood test]] *[[Body fluids]] *[[Clinical pathology]] *[[ISO 15189]] {{col-break}} *[[Laboratory centrifuge]] *[[Laboratory information system]] *[[Medical technology]] *[[Medical laboratory]] *[[Phlebotomist]] *[[Reference ranges for common blood tests]] *[[Urine test]] {{col-end}} ==External links== *[http://www.csmls.org] *[http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm U.S. Department of Labor information on Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians] *[http://www.ascp.org/ American Society of Clinical Pathology] *[http://www.ascls.org/ American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science] *[http://www.nca-info.org/ National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel] *[http://www.naacls.org/ National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science] ==References== {{Reflist}} # 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 {{Allied health professions}} [[Category:Healthcare occupations]] [[Category:Science occupations]] [[Category:Laboratory equipment]] [[Category:Parasitology]] [[Category:Parasitologists]] [[Category:Transfusion medicine]] [[Category:Clinical pathology]] [[Category:Pathology]] [[Category:Hematology]] [[Category:Immunology]] [[Category:Coagulation system]] [[Category:Chemical pathology]] [[Category:Microbiologists]] [[Category:Microbiology]] [[da:Bioanalytiker]] [[de:Medizinisch-Technischer Assistent]] [[nl:Analist (laboratorium)]] [[ja:臨床検査技師]] [[th:นักเทคนิคการแพทย์]]