Mississippi In Demand Career Highlight: Medical Laboratory Technologist

Get2College

30 Nov 202202:51

Summary

TLDRJocelyn Sierra Johnson, a medical laboratory technologist, introduces the rewarding career of an MLT, which involves analyzing blood and tissue samples to aid in diagnostic decisions. With a two-year degree and certification exam, MLTs can expect a flexible 40-hour work week, averaging a salary of $45,430 annually. Opportunities for advancement in the field are abundant, including teaching, forensic science, and supervisory roles. Johnson encourages those passionate about science, technology, and healthcare to consider this career path, emphasizing that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve their goals.

Takeaways

🧪 Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) is a rewarding career option for those interested in healthcare with minimal direct patient contact.
🔬 MLTs contribute significantly to diagnostic decisions by analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluid samples, accounting for up to 70% of the information used by healthcare providers.
📚 To start a career as an MLT, one must complete a two-year degree from a medical laboratory technician program at a community college.
📝 After degree completion, MLTs are required to pass a board certification exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.
🎓 The speaker obtained both a two-year degree in medical laboratory technology and a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences.
🕒 MLTs have a flexible work schedule, with options ranging from a typical 40-hour work week to 12-hour shifts, allowing for extended time off.
💰 The average salary for MLTs across the state is $45,430 per year.
📈 There is potential for career advancement in the field, such as becoming a medical laboratory scientist through further education.
🌐 MLTs can explore various career paths including teaching, forensic science, and leadership roles in hospitals and clinics.
🏥 Work opportunities for MLTs are not limited to hospitals; they can also work in vet labs and other settings.
💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work and continuous learning, stating that with dedication, one can achieve their career goals.

Q & A

What is Jocelyn Sierra Johnson's profession?
-Jocelyn Sierra Johnson is a medical laboratory technologist.
What percentage of diagnostic information do medical laboratory technologists contribute to?
-Medical laboratory technologists contribute up to 70 percent of the information used for diagnostic decisions.
What are some typical duties of a medical laboratory technologist?
-Typical duties include analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluid samples, looking at patient samples under a microscope, checking typing screens, and conducting COVID testing.
What educational program is required to begin a career as a medical laboratory technologist?
-A two-year degree from a medical laboratory technician program at a local community college is required.
What certification exam is required after completing the educational program for a medical laboratory technologist?
-After completing the program, one must pass a board certification exam given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.
What additional degree did Jocelyn Sierra Johnson obtain after her two-year degree?
-Jocelyn obtained a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences.
What is the average salary for a medical laboratory technologist across the state mentioned in the script?
-The average salary is $45,430 per year.
What is the typical work schedule for a medical laboratory technologist like the one described by Jocelyn?
-The work schedule can include 12-hour shifts and 40-hour work weeks, with the specific example given being an eight-day stretch with six days off, working 10-hour shifts.
What career opportunities are available for advancement in the field of medical laboratory technology?
-Opportunities for advancement include becoming a medical laboratory scientist, a teacher, a forensic scientist, or a head supervisor at hospitals, clinics, or vet labs.
What message does Jocelyn convey about the potential for success in the field of medical laboratory technology?
-Jocelyn conveys that with hard work and dedication, individuals can achieve success in the field, emphasizing that it's possible to reach high positions regardless of one's current status.
What is the importance of the board certification exam in the career of a medical laboratory technologist?
-The board certification exam is crucial as it is a requirement for professional recognition and often for employment in the field of medical laboratory technology.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Medical Laboratory Technologist Career Overview

Jocelyn Sierra Johnson introduces the profession of a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), emphasizing its importance in the healthcare system. MLTs analyze blood, tissue, and body fluid samples, contributing significantly to diagnostic decisions. The career path involves obtaining a two-year degree from a medical laboratory technician program and passing a board certification exam. Jocelyn shares her educational journey, including her two-year degree in medical laboratory technology and her bachelor's degree in medical laboratory sciences, followed by the certification exam from the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The career offers flexibility in work hours and an average salary, with opportunities for advancement and diverse work settings.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT)

A Medical Laboratory Technologist is a healthcare professional who performs tests and analyzes samples from patients to assist in diagnosing diseases and making treatment decisions. In the video, Jocelyn Sierra Johnson explains that MLTs contribute significantly to the diagnostic process by analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluid samples, which underscores their importance in the medical field.

💡Diagnostic Decisions

Diagnostic decisions refer to the conclusions made by healthcare providers about a patient's condition based on test results and other medical data. The video emphasizes that MLTs contribute up to 70 percent of the information used in these decisions, highlighting the critical role they play in patient care.

💡Microscope

A microscope is an instrument used to magnify objects or images for detailed examination. In the script, it is mentioned that MLTs use microscopes to look at patient samples, which is a fundamental part of their work in analyzing and diagnosing conditions.

💡Blood Typing

Blood typing is the process of classifying blood samples based on the presence of antigens on red blood cells. In the video, it is stated that MLTs check blood typing, which is crucial for safe blood transfusions and understanding certain diseases.

💡COVID Testing

COVID testing refers to the process of detecting the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. The script mentions that MLTs perform COVID tests, which has been a significant aspect of their work during the pandemic.

💡Two-Year Degree

A two-year degree, often called an associate degree, is a post-secondary education qualification that typically takes two years to complete. The video script explains that to become an MLT, one must complete a two-year degree from a medical laboratory technician program.

💡Board Certification Exam

A board certification exam is a standardized test that professionals must pass to become certified in their field. In the script, it is mentioned that after completing their degree, MLTs are required to pass this exam, administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology, to practice legally.

💡Medical Laboratory Sciences

Medical Laboratory Sciences is an academic field focused on the study of laboratory techniques and analysis in healthcare. Jocelyn mentions that she obtained her bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences, indicating a higher level of education in the field.

💡Shift Work

Shift work refers to employment that requires workers to perform duties outside of the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. The video describes MLTs working 12-hour shifts and having extended periods off, which is an example of shift work and its impact on work-life balance.

💡Salary

Salary is the fixed compensation paid to employees on a regular basis, typically monthly or annually. The script provides an average salary figure for MLTs, which is $45,430 per year, giving viewers an idea of the financial aspect of this career.

💡Career Advancement

Career advancement refers to the process of moving to higher positions or more advanced roles within a profession. The video mentions opportunities for MLTs to advance to roles such as medical laboratory scientists, teachers, or forensic scientists, showcasing the potential for professional growth.

💡Veterinary Lab

A veterinary lab is a facility that performs tests and analyzes samples for animals, similar to medical labs for humans. The script suggests that MLTs can work in vet labs, indicating the versatility of their skills and the broader application of their profession.

Highlights

Introduction to Jocelyn Sierra Johnson as a medical laboratory technologist.

Career as a medical laboratory technologist offers rewarding work with minimal direct patient contact.

MLTs contribute up to 70% of the information used for diagnostic decisions.

Duties include analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluid samples.

Examining patient samples through a microscope is a typical task in the lab.

Educational path starts with a two-year degree from a medical laboratory technician program.

Certification requires passing a board exam after completing the degree.

Jocelyn's educational journey includes a two-year degree and a bachelor's in medical laboratory sciences.

Board certification exams are administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Work schedule flexibility with options from 40-hour weeks to 12-hour shifts.

Average salary for MLTs is $45,430 per year.

Work-life balance with eight-day stretches and six days off.

Career opportunities in medical lab technology span various fields and roles.

Advancement to medical laboratory scientist is possible through online programs.

Diverse career paths include teaching, forensic science, and supervisory roles.

Opportunities exist in hospitals, clinics, and veterinary labs.

Encouragement to study and work hard for career success in medical lab technology.