The medical industry hugely depends on the testing of patients’ samples, because confirmatory diagnosis and treatment can only start after the test results come. This makes medical laboratory scientists fill an important profile, which is required at every healthcare facility.
To become a medical laboratory scientist, potential students need to complete the B.Sc. in Medical laboratory science program from a recognized institute. Most people have an overview of the duties of such professionals but don’t know about their job responsibilities in detail.
To give you more clarity on the roles and responsibilities of medical laboratory scientists, we have mentioned some points below. But, first of all, let’s start by answering the question: Who is a medical laboratory scientist?
Who is A Medical Laboratory Scientist?
Medical laboratory scientists are allied health professionals responsible for analyzing and testing the patients’ samples like tissues, bodily fluids, etc. Such experts derive meaningful data from the patients’ specimens which doctors can use to identify the exact health problem. In short, physicians depend on medical laboratory scientists’ help to diagnose patients properly.
Depending on the niche in which the scientists are working, the tests and their respective methods vary. There are multiple roles for the single laboratory scientist profile. Some of its common sub-niches are immunology, molecular biology, hematology, cytotechnology, and more. With the collaborative efforts of doctors and medical laboratory scientists, patients are provided with effective diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diseases.
Job Responsibilities of A Medical Laboratory Scientist
Collecting The Patient’s Samples
Before analyzing the patient’s samples, the initial step is to collect them. Medical laboratory scientists are versed in recording specimens for different purposes like blood tests, urine tests, and more. They interact with the patients and record the required samples. Afterward, they properly store them until testing and analysis are done on those bodily fluids and tissues.
Examining The Bodily Fluids
Everything should be present in our body within a limit, if it exceeds or goes down below a certain level, various health issues start to arise. By analyzing the samples, medical laboratory scientists draw valuable information that is useful for doctors while treating patients.
They are responsible for checking various bodily fluids like blood, saliva, urine, etc. They examine the patient’s samples and ensure that the chemical levels of different substances in the body are optimal.
Preparing Tissues For Microscopic Examination
Without the help of medical laboratory scientists, the work of pathologists becomes very time-consuming and complex. Medical laboratory scientists work in collaboration with pathologists by preparing tissue samples for them. Afterward, pathologists can effectively examine the tissues using a microscope and find the details about the respective health problem.
Operate Different Instruments
Medical laboratory scientists have to analyze the patient’s samples and generate informative reports for the physicians. To test the specimens, they must be well-versed in operating various machines and equipment. During various allied health Science programs related to medical laboratory Science, the students learn to use such devices to perform their duties.
That’s why practical work is more emphasized in this program compared to the theoretical part. The students should be able to utilize their knowledge to operate instruments and perform their daily tasks effectively and efficiently. A well-trained expert can easily calibrate, operate, maintain, and turn off the instruments used in laboratories.
Participate in Quality Improvement
Medical laboratory scientists are the ones who use the instruments kept in a facility regularly. So, they facilitate quality improvement programs as required. It gives them clarity regarding which instruments are functioning properly along with new & advanced ones that they need to purchase.
The accuracy of the data is everything for a medical laboratory scientist. A small change in the result values can lead to a wrong interpretation of the patient’s health condition. So, it is important to check the quality of the instruments from time to time and maintain or replace them as per the requirement. It ensures that they only provide accurate readings and values.
Train and Assist Interns
Most medical laboratory scientists start as trainees at medical facilities like private clinics, government hospitals, etc. When they develop a good hold on their work and gain basic knowledge, they start with the regular work of a laboratory scientist.
After such professionals gain experience for a few years, training new graduates becomes one of their key duties. With their proper guidance, the trainees and new practitioners can learn the basics properly and create a good learning foundation for themselves.
Work Environment Details About Medical Laboratory Scientist
● Medical laboratory scientists’ work varies according to the requirement and the respective healthcare facility. For this reason, such professionals may be working solely on a single task or performing multiple tasks daily. In addition, the work hours of such professionals can also increase or decrease depending on the organization’s needs.
● Most health labs are only open on weekdays. For this reason, weekends are generally off days for medical laboratory scientists. But, as mentioned above, the work hours of such professionals on weekdays can be present in different shifts depending on the requirement.
● Sometimes, medical laboratory scientists have to work with patients infected with infectious diseases. So, they need to take all the safety precautions like wearing gloves, masks, PPE kits, etc. to avoid getting infected. The same is true for the scenario when they deal with hazardous chemical substances.
● As medical laboratory science is a broad domain, there are different career opportunities present in this field in the following facilities:
❖Government and private hospitals
❖Public health departments
❖Veterinary research clinics
❖laboratories in the agriculture industry
❖Scientific private supply companies
Medical laboratory scientists can work in one of the above-listed facilities depending on their knowledge, skills, and workplace preference.
Conclusion
Medical laboratory scientists have a diverse set of roles and responsibilities. However, most of their job duties revolve around recording and analyzing patient samples. If you are inclined towards research and have the skills to derive meaningful results from the available data, this allied health profile is surely for you. And, the best part is the demand for medical laboratory scientists is never going to decline as they are an integral part of the healthcare system. After becoming familiar with the daily work of such professionals, you can effectively decide whether this field is suitable for you, or not.
