Medical Laboratory Technologist (Episode 158)

Summary

This video explores the career of a medical laboratory technologist, focusing on the essential role they play in diagnosing and treating patients. Kylah Sorenson, a technologist at UHNBC in Prince George, demonstrates the advanced equipment used to analyze blood samples, which guide 75-80% of doctors' decisions. The video highlights the importance of lab work in life-saving situations, such as cancer treatments and trauma care. It also touches on the qualifications needed to enter this field, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the job and the significant impact it has on patient care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medical laboratory technologists play a crucial role in patient care, guiding doctors' decisions through lab results.
• 😀 Laboratory testing accounts for 75-80% of medical decisions made by doctors based on blood results.
• 😀 A key responsibility of medical laboratory technologists is preparing and analyzing patient samples for various tests.
• 😀 Equipment like chemistry analyzers, connected to robotic lines, automates sample preparation and testing for efficiency.
• 😀 The lab handles a high volume of samples, testing up to 2,000 chemistry samples per day.
• 😀 Critical cases, such as those from emergency or ICU, are prioritized through a special 'stat' port to speed up testing.
• 😀 You can enter the medical laboratory field straight out of high school with specific science course prerequisites.
• 😀 Some candidates for medical laboratory technology have degrees already, which helps them advance in the field.
• 😀 The field of medical lab technology may be unknown to many, but it's integral to understanding patient conditions.
• 😀 Medical laboratory technologists identify and examine different blood cells, such as red blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets, to aid in diagnosis.
• 😀 Blood products prepared by medical laboratory technologists can directly save lives, especially in critical situations like hemorrhaging.

Q & A

What does a medical laboratory technologist do?

A medical laboratory technologist conducts laboratory tests to help clinicians make decisions in treating patients. They work with blood samples, preparing them, analyzing them, and providing results that guide medical decisions.

How do laboratory results influence doctors' decisions?

Laboratory results, particularly blood tests, guide about 75 to 80% of the decisions doctors make for their patients. These results are crucial in diagnosing conditions and determining the appropriate treatments.

What is the role of the chemistry analyzer in the lab?

The chemistry analyzer is responsible for sample preparation. It reads the barcodes on test tubes, identifies the tests ordered, and sends the samples to the appropriate analyzers for testing.

How many samples does the lab test daily?

The laboratory tests between 1,000 to 2,000 chemistry samples each day, showcasing the high volume and efficiency required in a medical laboratory.

What is a stat board, and how does it function?

A stat board is used to prioritize certain test samples, such as those from emergency or ICU patients. It allows for urgent samples to be processed before routine ones, ensuring critical cases are addressed promptly.

Can you become a medical laboratory technologist right after high school?

Yes, it is possible to enter the field of medical laboratory technology directly after high school, provided you meet specific science class prerequisites. Many individuals also enter the profession with a prior degree.

How did Kylah discover her interest in becoming a medical laboratory technologist?

Kylah developed an interest in medical laboratory technology after working as a lab assistant, where she took blood samples and became curious about the results and how they correlated to specific health conditions.

What types of blood cells are observed in the laboratory?

In the lab, Kylah explains the presence of different blood cells such as red blood cells, neutrophils (which fight bacterial infections), lymphocytes (which help fight viral infections and produce antibodies), and platelets (which assist in blood clotting).

How does working in a medical laboratory impact patient care?

Working in a medical laboratory directly contributes to patient care, as laboratory results help in diagnosing and treating conditions. In critical cases, like hemorrhaging patients, lab tests and blood products can literally save lives.

Why did Kylah choose to pursue a career in medical laboratory technology?

Kylah chose this career because of her fascination with understanding the body and its processes. Her curiosity about how laboratory results relate to health conditions motivated her to become a medical laboratory technologist.