College to Career in Medical Laboratory Technology

The challenges and rewards of medicine and science are combined into one in the world of the medical laboratory technician. A medical laboratory technician performs general tests in all of the following areas of the laboratory: hematology, microbiology, chemistry, immunohematology, phlebotomy, and immunology. Working under the supervision of a medical technologist, the medical laboratory technician hunts for clues to the absence, presence, extent and causes of disease.

UMA's Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Students graduate with an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and are qualified to sit for any of the following national registry exams: Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA), and American Medical Technologist Exam (AMT).

Transferable Skills & Competencies
Medical laboratory technicians are problem-solvers who like challenges and are willing to take responsibility. They are accurate, reliable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started. "Med lab techs" communicate well, both verbally and in writing. They set a high standard for themselves and expect quality in the work they do. Listed below are some representative skills and abilities that students in MLS may acquire:

Investigation
•Understanding cause & effect
•Observing carefully
•Designing experiments
•Relating lab findings to common disease process
•Utilizing formulae
Communication
•Using medical terminology
•Writing reports
•Informing/explaining
•Meeting with patients
•Working as a team member
Technical
•Using medical equipment
•Maintaining medical equipment
•Monitoring quality control
•Applying principles of safety
•Calculating
Analysis
•Collecting & processing specimens
•Attending to details
•Examining specimens
•Conducting tests
•Perceiving patterns/structures
•Solving problems
Careers
Medical Laboratory Technology graduates apply their skills in a variety of settings including health care, business and industry, government and research organizations. The following is a selected list of career options for Medical Laboratory Technology majors. Some of the occupations may require additional training.

Health Care
•Medical Laboratory Technician
•Tissue Bank Coordinator
•Clinical Toxicologist*
•Diagnostic Virologist*
•Veterinary Laboratory Assistant
•Biofeedback Therapist
•Phlebotomist
Government/Public Service
•Water Quality Inspector
•Communicable Disease Coordinator
•Forensic Laboratory Assistant
•FDA Inspector*
•Rabies Responder
•Drug Testing Coordinator
Research
•Cancer Researcher*
•Pharmaceutical Research Assistant
•Epidemiologist*
•Molecular Endocrinologist
•Genetics Researcher*
•Cytotechnologist*
•Human Resources Manager
Business/Industry
•Color Development Chemist
•Brewery Laboratory Analyst
•Milk Processing Plant Manager
•Paper Mill Lab Technician
•Quality Control Technician
•Insurance Claims Adjuster
•Technical Service Representative
•Sales Representative, Biotechnical Instrumentation and Reagents
*Baccalaureate or graduate level study is generally required for these occupations.

For More Information
College of Mathematics & Professional Studies
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Web site: www.uma.edu