Medical Laboratory Technology : Introduction
Medical Laboratory Technology also called Clinical laboratory science
is an allied health profession which is concerned with the diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of disease through the use of clinical laboratory
tests. These tests help doctors to detect, diagnose and treat diseases.
A Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) do these tests by analyzing
body fluids, tissues, blood typing, microorganism screening, chemical
analyses, cell counts of human body etc. They play an important role
in collecting the information's needed, sampling, testing, reporting and
documentation of these investigations. They determine the presence,
extent or absence of disease and provide data needed to evaluate the effectiveness
of treatment.
There are two levels of medical laboratory workers - Technicians and Technologists.
Medical technologists work in five major areas of the laboratory ie,
in Blood banking, Clinical Chemistry (chemical analysis of body fluids),
Hematology (blood related), Immunology (study of immune system) and Microbiology
(study of bacteria and other disease organisms). They also work in the
areas of cytotechnology (study of human tissue), phlebotomy, urinalysis,
coagulation, parasitology and serology. Phlebotomists draw and
test blood where as Blood bank technologists determine correct blood types
for transfusions. Histology technicians cut and stain tissue samples.
Medical technologists have more training and job responsibilities.
They perform complex tests such as microscopic examinations of tissues,
blood and other body fluids to detect evidence of disease and detect the
presence of bacteria, fungi, parasites etc and chemical tests to determine
blood cholesterol levels. They also match blood samples for transfusions
and test drug levels in blood to determine how patients are responding
to medications. They are often responsible for making sure that testing
is done accurately. In some labs, technologists conduct research under
the supervision of medical researchers.
Medical technicians do routine laboratory testing manually
according to instructions. They work under Technologists or supervisors.
Technicians may prepare specimens and operate machines that automatically
analyze samples. In addition to running tests, technicians set up, clean,
and maintain laboratory equipment, such as centrifuges, microscopes etc.
They also prepare standard solutions for use in the lab. This involves
measuring and mixing the correct amount of various chemicals.
Some of the courses offered in Lab Technology are Bachelor
of Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT), Diploma in Medical Laboratory
Technology (DMLT). BMLT course for Medical Lab Technologists is structured
to train students in the clinical Laboratory analysis of blood, urine,
feces, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, ascetic fluid etc to aid the
doctors in arriving at a correct diagnosis and treatment of the disease. There
are also Diploma / Certificate courses for lab technicians / assistants
in general and in different specialties such as Diplomas in EEG Lab Technician,
Histopathology Lab Technician etc.
The authorities concerned with Medical lab technology in India are
All India Institute of Medial Technologists
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Us
&
All India Medical laboratory Technologists Association
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Us
The Medical Laboratory Technology Programs provides its
graduates with numerous employment possibilities in laboratories throughout
the country.
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