Job Responsibilities of a Medical Technologist. Medical Technologist Job Description What Employers Expect of You

Hospitals alone request and process millions of lab tests every year. The tests are very important because there is so much information that can be learned about the health of a given patient. For example, with a small sample of about 40 drops of blood, more than 20 separate tests can be run simultaneously. A few common tests include a complete blood count, liver function tests, thyroid function test, kidney function test, semen analysis, and routine cultures. Some tests are quite common, while others are so specialized that only a few specialized laboratories can perform them around the world.

In general, a medical technologist has a bachelor's degree, but those who have higher education, often get more high salary and great responsibility. She is often in charge of the lab and makes important decisions about results. laboratory research. She will also conduct complex testing procedures, so extensive experience in the sciences is required. The presence of such a background will allow the technologist to solve problems, interpret and analyze complex systems. Understanding the scientific theory behind any given test is also important.

For this medical specialist assessing the impact of certain pathological diseases is of paramount importance. Without knowing how the condition will "appear" in the test, the test is useless. In addition, those who have the role of supervisor for the lab will need to monitor the work of others for accuracy. She must be able to find errors in the test and know how to solve such problems through calibration, evaluation or quality control. She may even be responsible for teaching new test methods to her fellow technologists.

A medical technologist, dubbed a generalist, is someone who works in a facility where many laboratory tests are carried out. She can also specialize and become a specialist in a particular area of ​​medicine. Many of them work for research companies, universities and public health laboratories, while others work as private consultants. Despite this, it is a growing field where there are plenty of job opportunities.

I. General provisions

1. A medical technologist belongs to the category of specialists.

2. A person who has a secondary medical education in the specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics" and (has; does not have) (I, II, higher) is appointed to the position of a medical technologist

qualification category(s).

3. Appointment to the position of a medical technologist and dismissal from it is carried out by order of the head of the institution.

4. Medical technologist must know:

4.1. Laws Russian Federation and other regulatory legal acts on health issues.

4.2. Basics laboratory diagnostics major diseases of the most important human organs and systems.

4.3. Organization of intra- and interlaboratory quality control of laboratory research.

4.4. Basics integrated approach to the laboratory examination of the patient.

4.5. Material sampling methods and morphology of the studied elements.

4.6. Modern methods of laboratory research and equipment according to the profile of work.

4.7. Normal and pathological indicators of the results of the study, signs of typical pathological processes in organs and tissues.

4.8. General principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the main medicines.

4.9. mode of work with pathogens of infectious diseases according to the profile of work, as well as quarantine diseases.

4.10. Methods for preparing reagents and solutions for research.

4.11. Rules for the disinfection of waste material.

4.12. Legislation on labor and labor protection of the Russian Federation.

4.13. Internal labor regulations.

4.14. Rules and norms of labor protection, safety measures, industrial sanitation and fire protection.

5. Medical technologist reports directly

II. Job Responsibilities

Medical technologist:

1. Conducts independently complex research using the latest technologies: biochemical, hematological, cytological, immunological, toxicological, medical-genetic, etc.

2. Masters new equipment and new research methods.

3. Conducts quality control of laboratory research and develops measures to improve the accuracy and reliability of analyzes.

4. Gives a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the object of research.

5. Registers the conducted studies and maintains accounting and reporting documentation.

6. Organizes the work of the junior (medium) medical staff of the laboratory.

7. Complies with the moral and legal norms of professional communication, fulfills the requirements labor discipline, occupational health and safety.

The medical technologist is responsible for:

1. For improper performance or non-performance of their official duties provided for by this job description - within the limits determined by the current labor legislation of the Russian Federation.

2. For offenses committed in the course of carrying out their activities - within the limits determined by the current administrative, criminal and civil legislation of the Russian Federation.

3. For causing material damage- within the limits determined by the current labor and civil legislation of the Russian Federation.

IV. A responsibility

The medical technologist has the right to:

1. Receive information necessary for the quality performance of functional duties.

2. Make suggestions to management for quality improvement medical care population, improving the organization of work.

3. Improve qualifications, pass certification (re-certification) for assignment qualification category according to established order.

4. Give orders to junior medical staff, control the volume and quality of the work performed.

5. To take part in the work of meetings, conferences, sections, where issues related to professional competence are considered.

A medical laboratory technologist performs comprehensive tests that help other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, detect, diagnose, and treat diseases. Someone who works in a small lab usually performs a lot of tests, but a person who works in a larger lab is more likely to specialize in a particular area. Examples of specialties include histotechnology and cytogenetic technology. Medical laboratory technologists are also known as laboratory technologists and medical laboratory scientists.

Quick Facts

• In 2014, medical laboratory technologists earned a median annual salary of $59,430. They earned a median hourly wage of $28. 57.
• Almost 165,000 people worked in this profession in 2012.
• Most of them worked in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories.
• The job prospects for this occupation are excellent. Jobs are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations until 2024.

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technologist

If you want to work in this career, you will need to complete a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science (MLS). You can find a program accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) on the organization's website: NAACLS Accredited and Approved Software Search .

Medical laboratory technologists require a license to practice in some states. Tool Licensing Occupations Tool from Career One Stop will help you find out which ones do.

You may also contact the health department or state professional licensing board in the state in which you wish to practice. Some states and many employers require professional certification. Examples of record keeping agencies are the American Board of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).

What soft skills do you need to achieve in this career?

In addition to the technical skills you'll learn in school and science aptitude, you'll need the following mental skills to excel in this area:

• Active Listening: Strong listening skills will enable you to communicate with medical staff and patients.
• Solution of problems. You must be able to identify problems and solutions.
• Critical Thinking: This skill will allow you to identify your options when making decisions or solving problems, evaluate them, and then choose the one that has the most promising outcome.
• Attention to detail: Accuracy in conducting testing procedures is paramount.
• Reading Comprehension: You must be able to understand and follow the instructions of doctors.

The truth about the medical laboratory technologist

• You will need to wear protective equipment and use procedures that reduce the risk of exposure to infectious materials.
• If you work in a hospital or other facility that is open 24/7, your work hours may include evenings, overnight stays, weekends, and public holidays.
• Plan to spend most of your working day on your feet.

Differences between a laboratory technologist and a laboratory technician

Medical laboratory technologist and laboratory technician are related professions that people often confuse with each other.

They differ significantly in terms of training preparation and therefore official duties. Because technologists must earn a bachelor's degree, they have a much larger theoretical knowledge base than technicians who only need a specialized degree.

Technicians collect, process and analyze samples. They perform laboratory procedures and maintain instruments. Medical laboratory technicians perform the same procedures as technologists, but also perform complex analyses. They evaluate and interpret results, conduct research and develop new methods (which is Professor of Medical Laboratory. ASCLS: American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science).

What do employers expect from you?

Here are some requirements from actual job postings actually found. com:

• "Ability to work independently and as part of a team"
• "Personal computer skills, including strong typing ability and proficient use of Microsoft Office"
• "Must be self-motivated and able to prioritize work"
• "Must be able to perform scheduling adjustments, offsets, vacations, on-call and holiday assignments"
• "The ability to communicate, consult and interact with other healthcare team members, external relations, client service and patient education."

Is this activity right for you?

• Dutch Code: IRC (Investigation, Realistic, Regular)
• MBTI personality types: ISTJ

Related occupations

Sources: Professional Study Guide , 2016-17 (visited January 7, 2016). Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor,
O*NET Online (visited January 7, 2016).

1. This job description defines the job duties, rights and responsibilities of a medical technologist.

2. A person with a secondary education is appointed to the position of a medical technologist professional education(advanced level) in the specialty "Laboratory diagnostics" and a certificate of a specialist in the specialty "Laboratory diagnostics", "Histology", "Laboratory business", " Forensic-medical examination with no requirement for work experience.

3. A medical technologist must know: laws and other regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation in force in the field of healthcare; basics of laboratory diagnostics of major diseases of the most important human organs and systems; organization of intra- and interlaboratory quality control of laboratory research; the basics of an integrated approach to the laboratory examination of the patient; methods of material sampling and morphology of the studied elements; modern methods laboratory research; device and rules for the operation of equipment according to the profile of work; normal and pathological indicators of the results of the study; signs of typical pathological processes in organs and tissues; general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of essential drugs; mode of work with pathogens of infectious diseases according to the profile of work, as well as quarantine diseases; methods for preparing reagents and solutions for research; rules for disinfection of waste material; causes and conditions for the occurrence of preanalytical and analytical errors during laboratory analysis; basics of a healthy lifestyle; basics of general hygiene and industrial sanitation; basics of microbiology; influence of biological factors on research results; the impact of physical activity, food, alcohol, drugs, medical procedures on research results; basic requirements for the organization of office work in clinical diagnostic laboratories; medical ethics; psychology of professional communication; basics labor law; internal labor regulations; rules on labor protection and fire safety.

4. A medical technologist is appointed and dismissed by order of the head of the organization in accordance with current legislation RF.

5. The medical technologist reports directly to the head of his structural unit(department, department, laboratory), and in his absence to the head of the medical organization or his deputy.

2. Job responsibilities

He conducts independently complex studies using the latest technologies: biochemical, hematological, cytological, immunological, toxicological, medical-genetic. Mastering new equipment and new research methods. Carries out quality control of laboratory research and develops measures to improve the accuracy and reliability of analyzes. Gives a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the object of research. Registers conducted studies and maintains accounting and reporting documentation. Organizes the work of middle and junior medical staff of the laboratory. Provides first aid in emergencies.

3. Rights

The medical technologist has the right to:

1. make suggestions to the management to improve the organization and improve the conditions of its labor activity;
2. control, within its competence, the work of middle and junior medical personnel, give them orders and demand their precise execution, make proposals to the management for their encouragement or imposition of penalties;
3. request, receive and use information materials and legal documents necessary for the performance of their duties;
4. take part in scientific and practical conferences and meetings, which discuss issues related to its work;
5. pass certification in accordance with the established procedure with the right to obtain the appropriate qualification category;
6. improve their qualifications at refresher courses at least once every 5 years.

The medical technologist enjoys all labor rights in accordance with Labor Code RF.

4. Responsibility

The medical technologist is responsible for:

1. timely and high-quality implementation of the duties assigned to him;
2. timely and qualified execution of orders, instructions and instructions of the management, regulatory legal acts on their activities;
3. compliance with internal regulations, fire safety and safety precautions;
4. timely and high-quality execution of medical and other official documentation provided for by the current regulatory documents;
5. providing, in accordance with the established procedure, statistical and other information on its activities;
6. prompt action, including timely informing management, to eliminate violations of safety, fire and sanitary rules that pose a threat to the activities of a medical organization, its employees, patients and visitors.

For violation of labor discipline, legislative and regulatory acts, a medical technologist can be brought in accordance with applicable law, depending on the severity of the misconduct, to disciplinary, material, administrative and criminal liability.