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Medical Technologist
The medical laboratory is essential to the modern practice of medicine. Tests and studies are carried out in the laboratory with the use of precision instruments and automated and electronic equipment to determine causes and patterns of disease, to develop better diagnostic procedures, and to innovate new methodologies in preventive medicine.
Laboratories are located in hospitals of all sizes, clinics, physicians' offices, independent laboratory companies, public health agencies, pharmaceutical and industrial companies, medical, dental and veterinary schools, and research institutions.
In medical laboratories, tests are generally performed in six fields of basic science, all oriented to provide data on the cause, cure and prevention of disease.
| The medical laboratory fields are as follows: |
Microbiology
The study of bacteria, fungi and disease-producing organisms in the human body |
Cytology
The study of human cells |
Histology
The study of human tissue |
Biochemistry
The study of chemical processes within the human body and of the effects of chemical compounds upon the body's physiological and biochemical functions |
Immunology
The study of the mechanisms that fight infection or body resistance |
Hematology
The study of abnormal conditions and diseases affecting the blood |
In large hospitals, blood banks are usually part of the hematology unit. The bank receives, stores, and preserves blood and tests it to determine its suitability for transfusion.
Most laboratory tests ordered by a pathologist or physician are performed by a medical technologist. Medical technologists are trained to perform complex analysis and are held accountable for accurate results. Medical technologists can specialize in any of the fields listed above.
The medical technologist is supervised by the pathologist and works with other physicians and scientists. The technologist exercises independent judgment in carrying out a broad range of complex chemical, microscopic, and bacteriological laboratory procedures that help to identify and control disease. The technologist supervises laboratory technicians and assists in their training. He or she may also calibrate equipment and evaluate the accuracy and utility of new laboratory tests.
| Some of the technologist's responsibilities might include: |
| • | Testing body tissues or fluids for disease, abnormality or infection |
| • | Pre-testing patients' blood prior to a transfusion to detect possible adverse reactions |
| • | Growing bacteria culture, then analyzing and testing it with different drugs for physicians to determine how the infection should be treated |
| • | Using microscopes, electronic counters and centrifuges (machines that separate substances of different densities); and -supervising and training other laboratory workers |
Job Outlook
Job opportunities are excellent. Most medical technologists are employed in hospitals. Others are employed in private laboratories, Armed Forces, city, state and federal health agencies, research companies and pharmaceutical companies.
Educational Requirements
Medical technologists are required to take three years of college preparation and one year in a professional school of medical technology (laboratory school) to receive a bachelor's degree. Professional registration may be obtained after completing a registry examination.
Prerequisite courses to be eligible for a laboratory school include chemistry, biological sciences, organic and/or biochemistry, microbiology, immunology and mathematics.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
Aurora University
347 South Gladstone
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-6431
http://www.aurora.edu/
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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60664
(847) 578-3000
http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu
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Foster G. McGaw Hospital of Loyola Medical Technology Program
2160 S. First Avenue
Maywood, IL 62153
(708) 216-9000
http://www.luc.edu/
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Illinois Benedictine College
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 960-1500 Ext. 7805
http://www.ben.edu/
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Northern Illinois University
Office Of Admissions
DeKalb, IL 60115-2854
(815) 753-0446
http://www.niu.edu/
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Roosevelt University
430 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 341-3500
http://www.roosevelt.edu/
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Rush University
600 S. Paulina St.
Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-7120
http://www.rushu.rush.edu/
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University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical Laboratory Sciences
Dept. Code: 2-4825
690 CME MC 518
808 S. Wood Street, Rm 690
Chicago, IL 60612-7305
(312) 996-7767
http://www.uic.edu/
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