Do you have an interest in science and medicine? Are you attracted to laboratories and individuals analyzing and collecting the specimen?
If yes, then it is quite probable that your perfect career fit is medical laboratory assistance. If my assumption is correct, then I am sure you are curious to know more about this role.
Well, the first question that might have popped in your mind is ‘where can medical lab assistants work?’ followed by several other details regarding this interesting role.
If this is the case, then this article is all you need to read. So, without wasting any time, let’s get started!
Work Settings for Medical Lab Assistants:
Medical laboratory assistance serve a crucial role in the healthcare industry; they work in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics , laboratories , banks etc.
- Hospitals: Medical lab assistants are responsible for a wide variety of tasks within a hospital. Some of the common tasks include performing blood tests, collecting blood specimens and urine samples etc.
- Laboratories: Working as a medical assistant in laboratories comes up with performing duties such as doing various diagnostic tests within a laboratory such as CBC and culture test, blood tests, collecting and labeling samples for further use etc.
- Clinics: in the clinic medical lab assistants look after the patient and monitor their condition which is later conveyed to senior doctors for a detailed examination. Other than monitoring the vital signs lab assistants are also responsible to carry out diagnostic tests, performing blood tests and collecting blood and urine samples for testing.
- Research labs: medical laboratory assistants work in various research institutions and research labs are one of them. the main duty of a medical assistant in this healthier setting is too help the researchers conduct successful experiments with the with the specimen collected by them
- Blood banks: the medical lab assistants are responsible to test the donated blood in the blood banks so they can be used for those who need it. They have the duty to ensure that the blood is processed accurately according to the set safety and quality standards set by the regulatory body.
- Public health Agencies: medical laboratory assistants also have the responsibility in public health agencies. The main duty includes deeply monitoring the patient’s condition to detect any disease which is done through performing diagnostic tests and sharing it with the professionals to provide the best solution to the patient.
Educational Requirements for Medical Lab Assistants:
The educational requirements for medical lab assistants include post secondary education, a bachelors or an associate’s degree/certification in the relevant field i.e. medical laboratory assistance or related subjects such as medical physiology and anatomy etc.
While these are the basic requirements, if you, as a medical laboratory assistant, aim for a senior level or a more advanced position in the same field then it is required to be officially licensed. This is done upon successful completion of an exam conducted by the certification body in Canada.
Skills and Qualities:
- Problem Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Attentive to Details
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- Ensured Accuracy
- Organizational Skills
- Technical Proficiency
- Critical Thinking Skill
Job Responsibilities:
Few of the most common medical assistant lab duties include:
- Collecting blood specimen
- Performing blood tests
- Collecting urine and other samples
- Labeling the samples accurately
- Effectively organizing, processing and analyzing the collected specimen for further procedure
- Strictly following the safety and quality protocols
- Regularly maintaining test records
- Monitoring laboratory equipment
- Ordering and restocking lab equipment
- Working as a team with other medical professionals
Advancement Opportunities:
In order to level up your career as a medical laboratory assistant, it is important to pursue further advanced education or a certification to be able to perform higher level duties. One of the most common advancement opportunities is to become a medical laboratory technologist to avail a more superior position. However, becoming a medical technologist, like any other profession, has certain requirements. Firstly, the MLTs are required to enroll in the MLT program and get certified (MLT Certification).
Other than becoming a medical laboratory technologist, medical lab assistants can also choose to specialize that would enhance their skills and knowledge eventually resulting in a promotion to a more advanced role. Moreover, the MLAs can enroll in the master’s degree as an advancement opportunity.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, medical laboratory assistants work in a variety of healthcare locations and they are responsible to collect blood and tissue specimens, perform blood tests, carry out various administrative activities and analyze the collected samples.
They possess essential skills such as organizational, communication, accuracy and attentive to details skills that make them highly crucial for not just laboratory but any healthcare setting.
I hope this article answers your question; “where can medical lab assistants work?”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can medical lab assistants work in research institutions?
Yes, medical lab assistants work in research institutions as well as various other healthcare settings.
What educational background is required to become a medical lab assistant?
The educational requirements for medical lab assistants include post-secondary education, a bachelors or an associate’s degree/certification in the relevant field i.e. medical laboratory assistance or related subjects such as medical physiology and anatomy etc.
Are certifications necessary for a career as a medical lab assistant?
Certifications are not a mandatory requirement unless you want to advance your career as a medical laboratory assistant.
Do medical lab assistants work in public health agencies?
Yes, medical lab assistants work in public health agencies
What are the common tasks performed by medical lab assistants?
Some common lab work for medical assistants include collecting blood specimen, performing blood tests, collecting urine and other samples, labeling the samples accurately, effectively organizing, processing and analyzing the collected specimen for further procedure, strictly following the safety and quality protocols, regularly maintaining test records, monitoring laboratory equipment, ordering and restocking lab equipment and working as a team with other medical professionals
Are there advancement opportunities for medical lab assistants?
Advancement opportunities for medical lab assistants include working as a medical laboratory technologist or pursuing a specialized certification.
