Medical technologists work in various areas of medicine, such as laboratories and medical imaging, to research, test, and utilize medical technology and specimens. They may also supervise and train others and follow procedures and regulations. Job duties vary depending on the specific area of medicine.
In the field of medicine, there are several specific areas that employ medical technologists to research, test, and utilize medical technology, systems, and specimens. Medical technologist jobs are usually found in medical centers, laboratories or hospitals. Depending on education and experience, a medical technologist may also serve in a supervisory role and be responsible for training and evaluating others in their abilities to perform technologist technician roles and follow procedures.
The most common type of medical technologist job is the laboratory technologist. This individual may work in a laboratory that conducts research or in a medical facility that tests and verifies samples. In many cases, a medical lab technician will test and evaluate human samples, such as tissue or blood. Many laboratory technologists collect samples from patients, while others focus primarily on testing samples and preparing reports. A person working in one of these medical technologist jobs may be required to oversee a laboratory and help with the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
Some medical technologist jobs can have very specific job parameters. This often happens to technologists working in genetics laboratories or other types of research facilities. While some technologists collect and report a wide variety of human samples, phlebotomists focus only on blood samples, for example. In addition, histotechnologists are usually responsible for assembling tissue samples. Cytotechnologists, on the other hand, focus on testing and evaluating cells.
Another type of medical technologist job is in the field of medical imaging. An imaging technologist is responsible for a wide range of duties, from using diagnostic medical machines to performing scans on the human body to analyzing subsequent reports. For example, a technician who focuses on administering and evaluating x-rays is a medical technologist. A nuclear medical technologist also works in this field and gives radioactive material to patients to ingest before testing. This type of medical technologist will use medical imaging to observe and report the functions of organs that can be more easily visualized against radioactive materials.
Depending on the type of medical facility she works for, a medical technologist’s duties can vary greatly. Anyone working in one of the medical technologist jobs, however, will be responsible for following organizational procedures as well as government regulations that direct the proper handling of specimens. Additionally, anyone working in one of the medical technologist jobs will need to use and maintain medical equipment properly. Whether she is a general technologist or involved in a more focused field, she will be required to exercise independent judgment and draw on expertise in medical technology as well.
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