1. Running head: MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 1
Medical Technologist
Karyssaann Costagliola
Alvernia University

2. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 2
Abstract
Medical Technology is a field not to many know about. It is a slow growing field due to the lack
of interested people, but it is a very rewarding field in the same regard. A Medical Technologist
has a lot of opportunity in the laboratory or research settings.
Keywords: Medical Technology, Medical Technologist, Laboratory

3. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 3
Medical Technologist
Medical Technologists also known as Medical Laboratory Scientist is a career that is very
important to the treatment and diagnosis of patients. In today’s laboratory it consists of many
“baby boomers” that are on the brink of retirement or they are choosing to prolong their
retirement not allowing newer technologists to begin working. Medical Technologists began
back in 1500 B.C. when the first identification of a parasite was done. In 1922 group was
formed by ASCP or American Society of Clinical Pathology to help give structure and a set
standard for laboratory professionals. In the 1930’s the ASCLS, a group of laboratory scientists,
to follow the guidelines set forth through ASCP to form professionals in the healthcare field with
the top certification attainable.
The reason I chose this career is because currently I have worked in the lab for three years. I
started my career out in the laboratory as a phlebotomist and continued to expand my knowledge
and education to become a MLT or Medical Laboratory Technician. The degree I am now
working on will give me my Bachelors in Healthcare Science opening more doors for me as far
as management opportunities and more advancement within the lab by being recognized as a
Medical Technologist. I like what I do and it is a very fulfilling job knowing that I am helping
treat patients and am able to always continue to learn each day I test patient samples. Most
people never realize the work or what goes on after that tube of blood is drawn and the amount
of work and precision that is needed to come up with the right answer so the doctor is able to
treat the patient.

4. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 4
This career has a big significance to the healthcare field and the proper treatment of patients. It
is proven that, “Seventy percent of patient care is based on decisions made from laboratory
results, yet there is a growing shortage of medical technologists” (Small 2013). This percentage
shows the importance that Medical Technologists as well as the rest of the lab staff has in health
care. If there was no blood tests or other studies it would be hard to really pinpoint diseases
especially diseases like cancer. It takes a well trained eye and education professional to be able
to sit down and look at a blood smear for instance and realize that a patient is showing signs of
beginning stage cancer. As a Medical Technologist they can be the first step in the proper
diagnosis or the person that catches a disease before it is too late to fix. The impact that Medical
Technologists have makes it very important to continue to see it grow and bring new people into
the field is crucial.
A Medical Technologist career like most jobs has its positives and negatives. When it comes to
stress levels it was rated above average according to the U.S. World Report 2014. The stress is
due to the responsibility in getting accurate results and interpreting findings correctly to the
physicians. Another contributor to the stress levels is due to the occasional shortage because of
lack of new technologists and the current technologists being older in age. The flexibility in this
job is about average with other related jobs when it comes to scheduling or others needs in this
field.
When it comes to medical ethics in this field it is a universal code that stands for all of healthcare
professionals. They are to uphold to professional standards and not do anything that will
jeopardize patient results or cause any unnecessary harm to themselves because lack of proper
use of equipment. They are to follow HIPPA guidelines and protect and show respect for patient

5. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 5
privacy and any test results. Medical Technologists are typically covered by the hospital when it
comes to any legal obligations or in case of an error made in the lab.
When dealing with risk management in this career proper precaution need to be taken to ensure
proper safety is being used. In this career the technologist is exposed to many harmful chemicals
and can be exposed to infectious disease. It is vital to be using proper PPE or Personal
Protective Equipment when dealing with a patient sample or harmful chemical. This job puts a
lot of people at risk if they do not exercise caution and follow all guidelines in place not only by
the organization but by OSHA standards.
It is hard to give definite figures because of the lack of interest and available accredited schools
for this field but it is projected that, “The job outlook for Medical Technologists will rise 22%
from 2012-2022” (U.S. Labor Statistics 2014). That the current trend in most labs are mostly
“baby boomers” the need for people in this career will continue to be in high demand leading to a
possible shortage because of the lack of interest or unawareness of most people for this career
opportunity. The chances for employment will always be there for this career and the room for
advancement is there for the people that are willing to work for it. There will always be a need
for blood work and someone to maintain the machines and make sure the tests are running
properly giving anyone interested the opportunity.
The career of Medical Technologists’ will continue to grow and the need will always be there as
long as the way to diagnosis is through blood. This career is a very rewarding career knowing
the people you help diagnosis and the knowledge you gain every day. In this field no case is the
same and you are always taking away a piece of new knowledge from each specimen you
examine. When choosing this career you will always be on your toes and need to stay up on the

6. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 6
current trends in healthcare and treatments that could affect certain blood tests and be able to
interpret what you are seeing so you can help the doctor diagnosis the patient.

7. MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST 7
References
Bennett, MPH, MT (ASCP), A., Thompson, N., Holladay, PhD, SCT ( ASCP), B., Bugbee,
PhD, A., & Steward, PhD, C. (2009, March 31). ASCP Wage and Vacancy Survey
of U.S. Medical Laboratories. LabMedicine, 133-141.
"Best Career" for2011. Dark Daily, 1-18.
Brown, B. (2014, October 27). Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Technician.
http://expolorehealthcareers.org
Blue Mountain Health System Home. (2014, October 15). www.blmtn.org
Michel, D. (2011, January 5). Medical Laboratory Technologists a U.S. News & World Report
Small, K. (2013). Retention Strategies for Medical Technologists: Addressing the Shortages and
Vacancies in the Clinical Laboratory. Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
http://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3654&context=etd
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014, January 8).
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists- and-
technicians.htm