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. Medical technologists work in clinical laboratories at hospitals, doctor's offices, reference labs, and within the biotechnology industry. The delivery of modern health care depends on an expanding group of highly trained professionals coming together as an interdisciplinary team. ... Diagnosis (from the Greek words dia = by and gnosis = knowledge) is the process of identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms and results of various diagnostic procedures. ... Bodily fluids are fluids, which are generally excreted or secreted from the human body. ... For other uses, see Blood (disambiguation). ... This article is about the urine of animals generally. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Horse feces Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animals digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. ... Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear bodily fluid that occupies the subarachnoid space in the brain (the space between the skull and the cerebral cortex—more specifically, between the arachnoid and pia layers of the meninges). ... Synovial fluid is a thin, stringy fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. ... A hospital today is an institution for professional health care provided by physicians and nurses. ...

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 bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... 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 Technologist 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.

In the United States, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (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 HLA testing (tissue-typing) and blood type reference testing. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) are standards that regulate all laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States except clinical trials. ... HLA region of Chromosome 6 The human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) is the name of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). ... This article is about human blood types (or blood groups). ...

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, haematology, coagulation, microbiology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, immunology, immunohaematology (blood bank), histopathology, cytopathology, 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". Clinical chemistry (also known as clinical biochemistry, chemical pathology or pure blood chemistry) is the area of pathology that is generally concerned with analysis of bodily fluids. ... Hematology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with blood and its disorders. ... This article is about the clotting of blood. ... An agar plate streaked with microorganisms Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. ... Microbiology (in Greek micron = small and biologia = studying life) is the study of microorganisms, including unicellular (single-celled) eukaryotes and prokaryotes, fungi, and viruses. ... Virology, often considered a part of microbiology or of pathology, is the study of organic viruses: their structure and classification, their ways to infect and exploit cells to reproduce and cause disease, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their potential uses in research and therapy. ... Adult black fly (Simulium yahense) with (Onchocerca volvulus) emerging from the insects antenna. ... Mycology (from the Greek μύκης, meaning fungus) is the study of fungi, their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals (e. ... Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. ... 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 is a field of pathology which specialises in the histologic study of diseased tissue. ... Cytopathology is a branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. ... This article is about the general scientific term. ... A metaphase cell positive for the bcr/abl rearrangement using FISH Cytogenetics is the study of the structure of chromosome material. ...

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. This article is about the occupation. ...

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. Schematics of shorthand for complete blood count commonly used by physicians. ... The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP; CPT code 80053) is a standard suite of 14 blood tests which serves as an initial broad screening tool for physicians. ... Liver function tests (LFTs or LFs), which include liver enzymes, are groups of clinical biochemistry laboratory blood assays designed to give information about the state of a patients liver. ... 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 of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. ... The partial thromboplastin time (PTT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is a performance indicator measuring the efficacy of both the intrinsic and the common coagulation pathways. ... This article is about human blood types (or blood groups). ... An agar plate streaked with microorganisms Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. ...

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. The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the leading organization of board-certified pathologists, serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine. ...

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). 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. Pharmacy technician is a job title for a pharmacy staff member who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, and performs many pharmacy-related functions. ... A radiologic technologist (also called a radiographer ) is a person who uses ionizing radiation to create medical images of the body to help diagnose and treat illness and injury. ...

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. A technician is generally someone in a technological field who has a relatively practical understanding of the general theoretical principles of that field, e. ... In many countries, Technologists are synonymous with applied scientists or engineers. ...

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.^{[citation needed]} Many universities cut budgets for Clinical Lab Science programs, or closed them altogether.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[1]

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.^{[citation needed]}

This is a concern of most laboratory professionals in today's healthcare system.

See also

Allied health professions are clinical healthcare professions distinct from the medical and nursing. ... An automated analyser is a laboratory machine designed to measure different chemicals in a number of biological samples quickly, with minimal human assistance. ... 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. ... Blood tests are laboratory tests done on blood to gain an appreciation of disease states and the function of organs. ... Bodily fluids are fluids, which are generally excreted or secreted from the human body. ... Clinical Pathology is one of the two major divisions of Pathology. ... ISO 15189:2003 Medical laboratories - Particular requirements for quality and competence specifies the quality management system requirements particular to medical laboratories. ... A laboratory tabletop centrifuge A laboratory centrifuge is a piece of laboratory equipment, driven by a motor, which spins liquid samples at high speed. ... A laboratory information system (LIS), is a class of software which handles receiving, processing and storing information generated by Medical laboratory processes. ... Medical technology refers to the diagnostic or therapeutic application of science and technology to improve the management of health conditions. ... A medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is a laboratory where tests are done on biological specimens in order to get information about the health of a patient. ... A phlebotomist is an individual trained to draw blood (venipuncture), either for laboratory tests, or for blood donations. ... A reference range is a set of values used by a health professional to interpret a set of medical test results. ... A urinalysis (or UA) is an array of tests performed on urine, usually used in medical diagnosis. ...

External links

• Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University
• [4]
• 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

1. http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/dissent/documents/health/labscam.html
2. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/10_Categorization_of_Tests.asp#TopOfPage
3. http://dhi.health.state.nm.us/CLIA/index.php