For as long as I can remember, I have been completely fascinated by the medical profession, as represented by doctors, nurses, PAs, and a wide range of other healthcare professionals that I have been in contact with over the years. Because my family and I have had a range of medical issues at different times, I have had a great deal of opportunity to observe the wide range of tasks available to people in these fields, and have concluded that the degree of professionalism involved in patient care is something that I admire and wish to practice. I love helping other people, and I pride myself on working hard as an individual as well as part of a team. As a result, becoming a medical laboratory tech is something that would, I believe, be a perfect career objective for me.
At the community college which I attended, I discovered my academic identity because in high school I was not necessarily as involved in my classes as I might have been. However, in classes that were based on science, health, and also involved working with computers, I have finally found a path that is exactly right for me. I have already completed my Associate degree from Mercer County Community College last year, and in doing so I finished with a total of 70 credits that were prerequisites for the one year bachelor program for MLS. Since graduation two years ago, I am working in the hematology department at Centra State Medical Center as well as in microbiology at University Medical Center of Princeton.
One of the reasons that becoming a medical laboratory technician interests me is that it is one of the most rapidly expanding health care fields (PCC.) According to statistics, this career will have the third highest projected job growth during the time period between 2008 and 2018. As a result, I know that I will be playing an extremely significant role in providing health care services to a wide range of people. Another aspect of the educational program that prepares me to become a medical lab technician is that I am aware that there is an internship involved that will also include being supervised closely. This will allow me to perform clinical tests that are required by doctors in order to make life or death decisions in regards to patient care. I find this extremely exciting and I am ready to take on the responsibility of participating in such crucial decision-making.
Becoming a medical lab technician includes a wide range of areas in which I might be able to specialize. If I decide to pursue phlebotomy, for example, I will be collecting and testing blood (Lawrence.) On the other hand, there are certain other specialties that I might be interested in pursuing, and that is one of the best aspects of choosing this profession. I might decide that I am interested in working in the blood banking part of the field, or I could opt to focus on immunology, clinical chemistry, or molecular biology. Because I have been so interested in the field of medicine for such a long time, any or all of these specializations are appealing to me because they contribute to saving lives and improving the quality of lives for people who are healthcare consumers. I also know from researching the field that the skill that most employers are looking for is chemistry, a subject in which I excelled during my academic career (PCC.)
It comes as no surprise to me that the field of medical technology is increasing so rapidly, because it is a perfect career goal for someone who likes science, enjoys helping people, and has excellent computer skills. I am someone who pays a great deal of attention to detail, and this is a quality that I believe will be essential in completing the tasks that I need to do for that position. For example, in collecting samples and performing tests that analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances, it is absolutely vital that a medical laboratory technologist conducts those tasks in a way that prevents contamination (Bureau Of Labor Statistics.) In addition, I am extremely interested in working in a hospital setting, and I know that nearly half of all medical lab technicians are employed in those settings. On the other hand, if I am not satisfied working in a hospital, I can always find work as a medical lab tech in a doctor’s office or diagnostic lab.
As stated, the prospects of getting a job as a medical laboratory technologist or technician is a growing field, with estimates projecting that growth to be 16% between 2014 and 2024 (Bureau Of Labor Statistics.) There are a number of reasons to explain this rapid expansion of the industry, the most obvious one being the aging of the population. This t has resulted in the need to establish diagnoses regarding medical conditions, in particular illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, so that the laboratory procedures and the people that perform them are more relevant than ever in the delivery of healthcare services. The requirements to become a medical lab tech involve at least a two-year Associate degree as well as a passing score on a national certification exam. This is the background that seems appropriate given the intricate and vital tasks that MLTs are charged with, since medical decisions are made based on the data that they obtain.
Despite the fact that often medical technology technicians are working behind the scenes, the work that is done is invaluable to the healthcare field. The most innovative medical science technology is used to perform the duties associated with the position. As a result, the work that follows these efforts have a significant impact on preventing and diagnosing major medical issues. This is the aspect of the job that appeals to me the most, because I like to believe that what I am doing professionally is changing lives for the better. That has been my experience being on the receiving end of such services, and I would sincerely like to be giving back in the same manner. A feeling of fulfillment is certainly one of the advantages of becoming a medical laboratory technician. In addition, the job opportunities are stable and as discussed, are on the rise. The rate of pay ranges from approximately $36,000 to $57,000 per year, depending on the setting and the geographical location (Kokemuller.)
Despite the fact that this is a profession that brings many rewards, there are certain challenges that may arise. The salary is relatively modest when compared to other health care jobs in other lines of work (Kokemuller.) Despite the fact that this work is so crucial to health outcomes, people in the field may feel underappreciated and certainly under- compensated. In addition, these jobs are accompanied by a great deal of pressure, particularly in hospitals where most lab technicians work. This is because it is crucial to be precise and accurate in the management and recording of lab results that directly affect healthcare decisions. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are reliant on quality lab results in order to communicate with patients and determine diagnosis and recommended care (Kokemuller.) The pressure can, at times, become overwhelming.
Nevertheless, I am extremely compelled to pursue my path of becoming an MLT. It is more important for me to enjoy what I am doing and feel a sense of contributing to the well-being of others than making a large amount of money. In addition, even though this is stressful position, I find that I work best under pressure and feel that I would be optimizing my job performance under those conditions. Nothing would make me happier than being accepted into the one year MLT program, since I believe that this would result in mutually beneficial outcomes for myself and the healthcare settings in which I would be working.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.” 17 December 2015. US Department of Labor, Bureau Of Labor Statistics. Web. 27 December 2016.
- Kokemuller, Neil. “Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Medical Laboratory Technician.” 2016. Chron. Web. 27 December 2016.
- Lawrence, Aaron. “What Does a Medical Lab Technician Do?” 3 August 2015. Rasmussen College.edu. Web. 27 December 2016.
- PCC. “Medical Laboratory Technology.” 2016. Portland Community College. Web. 27 December 2016.
