Medical Lab Careers Worth Looking Into
Are you interested in a career in the medical field other than becoming a doctor or nurse? You’ll be pleased to learn that there are a ton of options to consider. Take medical lab workers, for instance. Their collaborative efforts in medical research, analysis, and testing make it easier for doctors, nurses, and other medical experts to perform their jobs effectively. If working behind the scenes while still contributing to health and healing sounds appealing, the list of medical lab careers listed below may be worth researching further.
Histotechnician
A histotechnician is someone that works very closely with doctors. Their job is to evaluate and test various types of tissue and cells for more accurate patient diagnoses. When a patient undergoes surgery, any tissue removed from the body is sent to the histotechnician. Samples of the tissue are examined under a microscope, and a report of the findings is created. Upon completion, the report is sent to the doctor to support a proper diagnosis, outcome, and treatment plan for patients.
Cytotechnologist
If you’re passionate about biology, another medical lab career you might find interesting would be a cytotechnologist. These are trained professionals that study cells for a living. When doctors collect cells from patients through shedding and scraping, cytotechnologists use laboratory technologies and instruments like cell sorters to prepare cells for the examination of diseases.
Medical Lab Technician
For those who want to enter the medical field without years of education and training, becoming a medical lab technician may be suitable. In most instances, you’re only required to have an associate’s degree to secure a job in this profession. Medical lab technicians work in laboratories running diagnostic tests for conditions ranging from infectious disease and diabetes to cancer and AIDS.
Pathologist Assistant
An assistant pathologist is another satisfying and lucrative career choice in the medical lab. Working closely with a pathologist, your responsibilities include preparing samples, taking diagnostic photos, and training new pathologists on diagnostic procedures.
Lab Manager
If you have the leadership skills necessary to manage a team and a clear understanding of lab procedures and safety, dig deeper into a career as a lab manager. The position combines your managerial skills and lab knowledge to ensure that laboratories operate safely and efficiently. Though your responsibilities vary depending on where you choose to work, you might regularly include staffing, managing employee relations, ordering supplies and equipment, and maintaining the facilities’ integrity and safety.
Medical Scientist
Do you pay attention to detail? Do you enjoy the idea of a good mystery? If so, becoming a medical scientist is right up your alley. It’s your job to conduct research to discover innovative treatments and preventative care options for human illnesses and diseases. Through studies, clinical trials, and experiments, medical scientists can formulate hypotheses that enhances their understanding of life-threatening diseases.
Common Factors to Consider
As you begin looking into these medical lab careers, there are some factors you want to keep in mind to select the best option. For instance, most of the jobs listed above require you to have an educational background in science, health, and math. If you don’t already have a degree in these fields, you’ll need to factor in the time and cost of going back to school.
Another factor to consider is training and certifications. When working in the medical field, it is often mandatory for you to have gone through some form of professional training or certification program. Last but not least, you’ll want to review available positions in your area. Unless you’re willing to relocate, there’s no sense in preparing yourself for a career if there isn’t an immediate need in your community.
As the world continues to fight against disease and illness, the need for medical professionals rises. While becoming a doctor or nurse may be ideal for some, there are lesser-known careers in the medical field that may be better suited for your experience and lifestyle. As you can see from above, medical lab personnel are doing their part to enhance the overall health and well-being of humans everywhere.