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Four health lab careers where you can make a difference

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Health lab professionals are vital caregivers in the medical field. Usually, most of us only come across direct patient care. However, a lot of essential healthcare goes on behind the scenes. Medical lab practitioners carry out vital laboratory analyses, which assist in diagnosis and treatment. With the generated laboratory data, research and consultation with the physician are even more convenient. Laboratory science also encompasses a broad set of disciplines. They include microbiology, immunology, and clinical chemistry. Below are significant health lab careers.

Medical lab technician

Sometimes known as MLTs, lab technicians are majorly involved in performing diagnostic examinations. Typically, lab technicians collect the body and blood samples, then carry out tests.

Results from these tests majorly form the basis for review by doctors and physicians. MLTs operate in various medical sectors, from ophthalmic labs to dental offices. Also, proficiency in medical lab entails knowledge of leukapheresis products, including leukopaks.

As an MLT, your evaluation and analysis skills should be top-notch, and you’ll need a degree.

Histotechnician

Histotechnicians majorly specialise in the study of biological structures. Most importantly, they establish structural and functional relations, particularly in biological material.

Histotechnicians primarily determine the effect of molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology on disease processes. Like the MLTs, histotechnicians collect and analyse samples to be used by researchers.

As a histotechnician, you must be well-versed in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and computer science. Your analysis and problem-solving abilities must also be exceptional. Histotechnology primarily requires a degree.

Cytogenetic technician

Typically, a cytogenetic technician carries out analyses of genetic material inside the body cells. Genetic elements mainly encompass chromosomes. In cytotechnology, cell analysis is microscopic to establish irregularities in the chromosomal structure. An abnormality means an infection or disease.

As such, this profession requires excellent accuracy and science competency. You must assign every sample to the correct patient. This career requires a rich background in biochemistry, genetics, and cellular biology. Professional certification requires a biology degree.

Nuclear medicine technologist

This profession involves performing imaging tests to identify any defects in the body. The imaging process entails dosing patients with small quantities of radiopharmaceutical material. Specialised medical equipment then record images of where this material localises. With the records in place, analysis for body deformity is more convenient.

However, in this career, there’s the glaring risk of exposure to radiation. As such, it’s vital to have proper PPE in this high-precision task.

Certification requires a degree, and attention to detail in recording and observation is a must.

The above four careers are just a cursory glance at the vast health lab professions. Despite being indirect, these careers are undeniably vital in saving lives.

Can you think of any other health lab careers? Tweet them to us at @CareerCamel.

Emma SturgisFour health lab careers where you can make a difference

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