A medical laboratory assistant, also known as a clinical laboratory technician or technologist, is someone who works in a lab testing cells, tissues, fluids, and methods to find, diagnose, and treat illness and disease. In most cases, he works under the supervision and guidance of a laboratory manager. He could work alone or as part of a laboratory or research team. He is also known as a phlebotomist if he draws blood from patients for testing and analysis.
As the assistant performs his tests, he is usually required to keep meticulous records of the processes and materials used. He is also expected to document the results of his experiments and tests on a regular basis, noting any anomalies. His job requires him to communicate his findings to his supervisor or designated medical personnel on a regular basis.
A medical laboratory assistant uses a wide range of diagnostic, documentation, and measuring devices in addition to a variety of microscopes in his laboratory duties. The assistant is usually taught how to use the equipment by the laboratory supervisor. Cleaning laboratory equipment on a daily basis is also a common part of the technician’s responsibilities.
Because laboratory testing frequently involves the handling of toxic materials, the assistant’s job entails adhering to safety protocols. He is frequently required to handle and dispose of hazardous materials with care, so he must be familiar with safe hazardous material handling procedures. A medical laboratory assistant must be able to clearly communicate potential hazards to coworkers in order to avoid mishaps.
Clinics, hospitals, and independent testing facilities are all good places to look for general medical laboratory assistant jobs. Independent physician practices and blood banks may also employ phlebotomists. Because the job entails standing for the majority of the day, it is considered physically demanding.
Many different levels of training are required for medical laboratory assistant positions. Phlebotomy is the profession that requires the least amount of training. It takes about four months to become a certified phlebotomist, depending on whether the student attends school full-time or part-time.
A bachelor’s degree in the life sciences or medical technology is usually required to be hired for other medical laboratory assistant jobs. Microbiology, biological sciences, mathematics, statistics, and chemistry are among the most popular courses for this position. For some jobs, a combination of education and relevant work experience is often sufficient. In some areas, licensing is required.